Here are 25 of the most innovative CIOs leading their companies' strategies in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI, according to experts and their peers

• The role of the CIO has become broader and more complicated with the rise of the cloud and new enterprise IT technologies and trends.
• CIOs today have more things to worry about: Should they move everything to the cloud and abandon in-house data centers, or keep some data and applications on premise? Does their network have enough protection against cyberthreats?
• We asked experts, including execs from tech giants, industry analysts and longtime tech observers which CIOs are making smart moves and making a difference in the enterprise cloud era. Here are 25 names that came up.
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The job of the chief information officer was simpler about 20 years ago. CIOs focused mainly on managing servers and the office PCs, deciding which software to use, and making sure the IT team in the company data center had everything they needed.

The cloud and other big trends in enterprise IT changed that - dramatically.

Today, CIOs have much more to think and worry about. Should they move everything to the cloud and abandon in-house data centers, or keep some data and applications on premise? Does their network have enough protection against cyberthreats? Is time to start thinking seriously about using artificial intelligence?

It's a tougher role, increasingly complex and challenging. We checked with experts from the tech industry - including tech giants, Wall Street analysts, and verteran industry observers who witnessed the rise of the cloud - on the CIOs who have thrived in this new era of enterprise IT.

Here are 25 CIOs who were nominated by their peers, industry experts, and tech suppliers for making smart choices and making a difference in the enterprise cloud era: