According to McKinsey, only 15% of companies say that gen AI is bringing meaningful bottom-line impact. The more typical experience is to experiment within the classic “tech looking for a solution” trap. CIOs are on the front lines to turn gen AI’s enormous potential into actual value creation. To do so, they can choose one of three approaches. “Takers” use off-the-shelf, gen AI–powered software from third-party vendors. “Makers” create their own LLMs. And then, in between, are “Shapers,” who integrate outside models into existing systems to create customized uses. For many companies, being a …