Toronto Chapter: AI Divide - Aligning IT Strategy with End-User Reality

Description

CDW’s upcoming 2025 Market Trend Report explores the growing gap between what IT decision-makers believe is happening with AI adoption—and what employees are actually experiencing. Based on new survey data from Canadian organizations, this session will unpack the year-over-year shifts in AI usage, barriers to adoption, and the evolving perceptions of GenAI’s value across different roles and industries.

Brian Matthews, Head of Services Strategy & Development at CDW Canada and Sherief Ibrahim, GM, Solution Leader – AI Business Processes at Microsoft, will share exclusive insights from the report. Together, they’ll explore how organizations can move beyond proof-of-concept, align AI investments with real-world use cases, and unlock measurable ROI by empowering users with the right tools, training, and support.

At this session, you will learn:

• What’s changed in 2025: Discover key year-over-year trends in AI adoption, including the rise of unapproved tool usage and shifting perceptions of GenAI’s relevance across job roles.
• The ROI disconnect: Understand why many IT leaders still perceive GenAI as too expensive—and how those who’ve invested are seeing transformative returns.
• Use cases that work: Explore the most successful GenAI applications identified by both IT leaders and end users, and what’s driving real business outcomes.
• Upskilling and enablement: Examine how training, tool design, and user experience impact adoption—and what separates high-performing teams from the rest

Brian Matthews serves as the Head of Services Strategy & Development for CDW Canada’s Digital Workspace practice. With 18 years of diverse industry experience spanning services, solution architecture, sales and partner management, Brian brings a unique perspective to solving complex business challenges for clients. His passion for the evolving nature of work and disruptive technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, positions him as a thought leader in the field.

Sherief Ibrahim is a Solution Leader at Microsoft Canada, championing the growth and advancement of small and medium enterprises nationwide. With a career spanning over 20 years, Sherief’s journey has traversed support, operations, category management, and sales across Consumer, SMB, Education, Public Sector and Enterprise segments across cloud and device categories reflecting a uniquely diverse background. Sherief’s approach blends strategic vision with hands-on expertise, making him a trusted advisor for organizations seeking growth, innovation, and sustainable impact.

Agenda

6:00 - 7:00pm – Arrival & Networking Reception

7:00 - 8:00pm – Presentation – Q & A

8:00 - 8:30pm – Networking

Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages to be served

Open to CIOCAN Members & their Qualified Non-Member Guests Only (CIO/CISO/Senior IT Executive)

Thank you to our sponsors!