A recent report from SolarWinds reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming IT roles, with 80% of IT professionals observing a shift from traditional operational roles to more orchestration-focused responsibilities. The findings stem from the 2026 SolarWinds IT Trends Report, which surveyed over 1,000 IT professionals to assess the impact and challenges of adopting AI in the workplace.
The study notes that as organizations increasingly incorporate AI-driven tools and automation, IT personnel are dedicating less time to hands-on tasks and more to governance and management of automated systems. “Eight out of 10 IT practitioners agree that technical staff are moving from being operators to being orchestrators,” the report indicates.
However, there is a noticeable gap in perception between executive leadership and technical staff regarding AI readiness. Nearly half of C-suite executives believe their organizations are “extremely prepared” for AI changes, in contrast to only 13% of technical staff who share that sentiment.
Despite the evident transition, many IT professionals report increased demands in their roles due to AI, with 71% feeling their responsibilities have grown. Verifying AI-generated outputs and managing associated risks are contributing factors to this added burden. Trust issues are also apparent, with 71% of IT staff asserting they need to verify AI outputs and 62% expressing difficulties in trusting AI recommendations.
The survey highlighted that while 34% of respondents claim their organizations have embraced AI to some extent, 37% face resistance predominantly linked to budget constraints, infrastructure challenges, and the complexity of implementation.
As IT roles evolve, 52% of respondents experience increased strategic responsibilities, with more cross-functional tasks being undertaken and enhanced complexity in their roles. There is a reported shift towards proactive activities like strategizing and system performance analysis, with some reactive tasks, such as troubleshooting, seeing a decrease.
To support AI adoption effectively, organizations must address specific areas, with 56% of respondents emphasizing the need for clearer AI policies and 50% calling for formal training to navigate its complexities. Data quality emerges as a critical success factor, as 83% of professionals believe that the effectiveness of AI systems hinges on the quality and breadth of the underlying data.
Looking ahead, many anticipate that AI and automation will increasingly characterize IT operations, with 77% believing that their organizations will become more proactive over the next two to three years. Despite the promise of AI-enhanced operations, concerning challenges will remain, including managing skills gaps, governance needs, and the reliability of automated systems.
“AI is not making IT simpler—it’s making it more consequential,” commented Krishna Sai, CTO at SolarWinds. Success in this evolving landscape, he suggests, will come not merely from having the most AI tools but from cultivating the governance and structure necessary to trust and leverage these technologies effectively.
