GoKawiilCISOs Make AI Top Budget Priority Despite Unproven ROI, IANS Survey Finds
A survey of over 500 CISOs by IANS and Artico found that 69% now rank AI as their top target for new cybersecurity budget dollars, even though overall security budgets grew just 5% in 2026. Nearly a quarter of organizations have created dedicated AI security budget lines, while others fund it through general security, IT, or innovation budgets.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings show security leaders are betting heavily on AI before proving its return, driven by attacker automation and fear of falling behind rivals. Most CISOs expect AI to reshape rather than shrink their teams, pushing staff toward higher-value work like threat investigation while automating repetitive tasks—a shift that could redefine hiring and skill requirements across the industry.
- 69% of CISOs name AI as their top priority for new security budget spending in 2026.
- Overall security budgets grew only 5%, showing AI investment is being prioritized within tight constraints.
- 91% expect AI to boost team productivity, and 81% expect it to create demand for new security roles.
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Published there as: “AI Security Spending Jumps as Fear Outpaces Proof of Value”
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