If there’s one thing I notice in almost every conversation I have with CIOs, admins, or business leaders, it’s this: their roles are changing fast.

For years, CIOs were the strategists and admins the protectors. Together they made sure technology was reliable, secure, and compliant. But now? With AI agents entering the workplace, they’re no longer just keeping systems alive… they’re starting to lead digital colleagues.

Yes.. colleagues. Because agents don’t just suggest anymore. They act. They take decisions. They run processes. And that shift requires a completely new mindset.From Assistants to Autonomous Agents

I often hear the same story in meetings: “We’re testing agents, but they’re quickly moving into critical processes.” That’s exactly the evolution we’re all seeing:

  1. Human with Assistant – agents support, summarize, automate small tasks.
  2. Human-Agent Teams – agents act as teammates, drafting, analyzing, managing workflows.
  3. Human-Led, Agent-Operated – agents take over processes, while humans step in only when needed.

Some organizations are still at stage one, others are already exploring stage three. And it’s CIOs and admins who have to guide that journey.

Becoming an “Agent Boss”

When I speak to leaders, I often use this analogy: “Think of your agents as new hires.”

  • They need a job description tied to a real business goal.
  • They deserve performance reviews—yes, even for agents.
  • They require the right balance of freedom and control.

And that’s where CIOs and admins step in. CIOs set the vision, while admins translate it into daily practice. One defines the “why,” the other makes sure the “how” is safe, compliant, and effective.

Governance as Enabler, Not Blocker

This is probably the most repeated line in my conversations: “But won’t governance slow us down?”

My answer is always the same: governance is not a brake. It’s the runway.

  • CIOs make sure agents align with strategy and create measurable business value.
  • Admins ensure oversight, connectors, environments, and compliance keep everything running safely.

Together, they turn governance into the engine that enables trust and innovation at scale.

Why This Matters

IDC predicts 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028. That number pops up often in my talks. And every time, the reaction is the same: “We’re not ready for this.”

But here’s the opportunity: you don’t have to start from scratch. You already have governance models from low-code and Power Platform. Extend them. Adapt them. Build on them.

The Shared Leadership Shift

What excites me most is that this is not a story of replacement. It’s a story of leadership.

  • CIOs are becoming Chief Innovation Orchestrators setting vision, direction, and trust.
  • Admins are becoming Trusted Stewards of Digital Colleagues the hands-on leaders who make adoption real, safe, and scalable.

And these are not abstract ideas. These are the conversations I have every week. It doesn’t matter where I am, the questions are the same.

My Takeaway

The age of AI agents is here. And it’s not about apps or tools anymore it’s about people and digital colleagues working side by side.

CIOs and admins are no longer just keepers of technology. They’re the ones who will decide how trust, governance, and innovation scale.

And honestly? I think that makes their role more exciting and more important than ever before.