CEO discussions shift focus to practical AI & renewable energy

In the third quarter of 2024, CEO discussions have prominently featured practical AI applications, renewable energy sources, and unpredictable IT outages. According to a recent study by IoT Analytics, there has also been a noticeable decline in mentions of generative AI, NVIDIA, and the cloud.

The analysis by IoT Analytics is based on a comprehensive dataset consisting of over 8,000 earnings calls from approximately 4,000 global companies listed in the United States. This research aims to identify shifting trends and sentiments among top executives.

"In Q3 2024, we observed a notable shift in CEO discussions toward AI applications, renewable energy, IT resilience, and the upcoming U.S. elections," said Knud Lasse Lueth, CEO at IoT Analytics. He further explained, "Despite this shift, economic concerns remained the most discussed theme overall. Historically, changes in CEO discussion themes have been indicators of shifts in sentiment and corporate investment behaviour. I expect these emerging topics to play a more prominent role in corporate decision-making moving forward."

Four key themes have gained significant traction in the discussions: practical AI applications, renewable energy sources, unpredictable IT outages, and election-related topics. These insights suggest a move towards more specific and practical considerations, especially concerning AI.

Philipp Wegner, Principal Analyst at IoT Analytics, highlighted this trend: "AI might have been mentioned slightly less in Q3 2024 but it is still the key technology that executives discuss. More and more CEOs talk about concrete use cases rather than AI in general."

In particular, there has been a discernible shift towards specific AI applications such as process automation, predictive maintenance, and digital twins. This contrasts with the more general discussions about AI technologies that were prominent in the past.

Renewable energy sources have seen an increase in mentions, reflecting a growing focus among CEOs on sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. This trend aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a more sustainable future.

Unpredictable IT outages have also risen in prominence as a topic of concern amongst executives. The significance of IT resilience has become increasingly apparent, especially in the context of a highly connected and digitised global economy where business continuity is critically dependent on reliable IT infrastructure.

Additionally, the upcoming U.S. elections have been a focal point, with CEOs discussing election-related topics, including candidates and policies that could impact business operations and economic conditions.

In contrast, there has been a reduction in the frequency of mentions related to generative AI, NVIDIA, and the cloud. These topics, which once occupied considerable space in executive discussions, seem to have been overshadowed by more immediate and practical concerns.

IoT Analytics' findings highlight the shifting landscape of executive priorities and the factors that are currently influencing corporate strategies and investment decisions. This data provides valuable insights into how leading companies are navigating the evolving business environment.