DEI priorities CIOs should address in 2026

Steven

DEI priorities CIOs should address in 2026

Summary

CIOs may not formally own diversity, equity and inclusion, but in 2026 they control the systems that will either entrench inequity or help remove it. The article highlights key technical DEI risks — algorithmic bias, accessibility gaps and hybrid-work inequity — and urges technology leaders to embed DEI into every stage of technology decision-making rather than leaving it as an HR-only concern.

Content summary

Interviews with DEI leaders and consultants show the overlap between tech and DEI is growing. Algorithmic bias in AI and machine learning can produce discriminatory outcomes if models are trained on skewed data. Accessibility is often an afterthought as organisations accelerate digital transformation, resulting in tools that fail screen readers, lack captions or present inaccessible dashboards. Hybrid working introduces collaboration inequities between office and remote staff unless tools and workflows are configured fairly.

The article explains why CIOs and DEI teams are frequently misaligned — different metrics, ownership confusion and late-stage DEI involvement — and recommends shared accountability via cross-functional councils, RACI models and measurable DEI outcomes. It also busts common DEI myths and points to research showing diverse organisations tend to financially outperform peers. The practical CIO takeaways are to audit and govern AI for fairness, prioritise accessibility, embed DEI into business ecosystems, foster psychological safety and clarify responsibilities between DEI and tech functions.

Key Points

  • Algorithmic bias is a real enterprise risk; diverse teams and AI audits are essential to maintain trust and governance.
  • Accessibility must be baked into tools (screen‑reader compatibility, captioning, accessible dashboards) to avoid excluding employees and customers.
  • Hybrid work equity requires digital tooling and workflows that enable equal participation for remote and office staff.
  • DEI and IT often operate in silos; establish shared accountability with cross‑functional councils, RACI and measurable DEI metrics.
  • Treat DEI as infrastructure, not a one‑off initiative — inclusive teams boost innovation and can improve financial performance.

Context and Relevance

With tight budgets and accelerating digital transformation, CIOs must focus DEI efforts where they intersect with business risk, regulatory exposure, employee retention and product quality. The guidance is directly relevant to tech leaders responsible for procurement, development and deployment of AI and collaboration platforms. Embedding DEI into technology decisions reduces reputational and operational risk and supports long‑term innovation.

Why should I read this?

Short version: if you run tech, read this. It flags the three DEI problems that will trip up projects and reputations in 2026 and gives clear, practical priorities — audit AI, make tools accessible and stop treating DEI like an HR tickbox. We read it so you don’t have to; use the takeaways to steer next year’s strategy.

Author note

Punchy take: Rosa Heaton lays out actionable priorities for CIOs — ignore DEI in your systems and you risk trust, talent and revenue. Make DEI part of your tech foundation now.

Source

Source: https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/DEI-priorities-CIOs-should-address