ITSM without GenAI – An Endangered Species

A seismic shift is underway for enterprise ITSM. This transformation isn't just about the technology itself but also about the very purpose of ITSM solutions. In the next few years, many traditional ITSM platforms may become obsolete, unable to keep up with the rapidly changing expectations of service desk managers and IT operations leaders. The ITSM landscape is at a crossroads, and only those who adapt to the new era of Generative AI (GenAI) will survive and thrive. 

What Is This Change? 

The change sweeping through the ITSM market is happening on multiple levels, driven by a confluence of factors that are redefining the industry. Let’s break down these changes to understand why the very existence of ITSM solutions without GenAI is at risk. 

1. A Change in Expectations 

For more than two decades, service desk managers and IT operations leaders were content with tools that supported process maturity, ticket management, and basic ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) frameworks. Success was measured by an ITSM solution’s ability to manage tickets, track SLAs, ensure audit compliance, and provide basic reporting to avoid hygiene issues like delayed responses. "Shift-left" strategies and self-service initiatives were often seen as aspirational, discussed at industry conferences but far from reality in everyday operations. 

Switching from one ITSM product to another was common, but it rarely resulted in any dramatic improvements in service delivery. For most mid-sized companies, replacing their ITSM solution every 3-5 years was a routine task, with the expectation of gaining a few new features while enduring some setbacks elsewhere. Innovation in the ITSM space was incremental at best. 

However, in recent years, the expectations of service desk supervisors and IT operations managers have shifted significantly. The widespread adoption of AI and automation technologies in both personal and enterprise contexts has raised the bar. People now expect their ITSM tools to be as slick and modern as the applications they use in their daily lives. No longer satisfied with clunky, unwieldy systems, they demand intuitive, AI-driven self-service capabilities, easy-to-deploy automation, advanced analytics, and insights into customer sentiment. 

The old days of ITSM solutions simply managing tickets are ending. The new era demands tools that not only track issues but also actively prevent them. 

2. A Change in Purpose 

Historically, ITSM tools served two main purposes: ticket tracking and process enablement. These tools were designed to facilitate human technicians in resolving issues by providing a structured workflow. But the purpose of ITSM is evolving rapidly. Today, the goal is no longer just to create and track tickets—it’s about reducing the number of tickets through deflection and automation. 

This shift in purpose represents a major transformation in the way ITSM is approached. Instead of focusing on how efficiently a human technician can resolve a ticket, modern ITSM solutions aim to minimize the creation of tickets in the first place. This proactive approach to service management is becoming widely accepted as the new standard, with companies and products racing to adopt AI and automation technologies to achieve it. 

3. A Change in Technology 

The introduction of AI, GenAI, and advanced automation technologies has revolutionized ITSM. What was once considered aspirational is now within reach, and service desk managers can finally implement features that were previously out of their grasp. These technological advancements enable ITSM solutions to offer: 

• Simplified, low-maintenance knowledge management: AI-powered systems can automatically update and maintain knowledge bases, reducing the need for manual intervention. 

• Virtual support agents: These AI-driven agents can handle initial troubleshooting and triaging, deflecting tickets before they reach a human technician. 

• Accessibility via MS Teams or Slack: Modern ITSM tools integrate seamlessly with communication platforms, allowing employees to access support without leaving their workflow. 

• Out-of-the-box automation: Quick automation of simple tasks is now possible, reducing the burden on service desk teams. 

• Integration with leading enterprise software: Newer ITSM solutions can easily connect with other enterprise systems, creating a more cohesive ecosystem. 

• Predictive analytics: AI-powered predictive analytics can identify potential issues before they escalate, enabling proactive problem-solving. 

These features represent the future of ITSM—a future that cannot be achieved without the capabilities of AI and GenAI. 

4. A Change in Economic Realities 

Economic pressures have also driven the evolution of ITSM. Gone are the days when a service desk manager could simply request additional headcount to handle growing workloads. Today’s organizations are focused on efficiency, and IT and HR operations are often seen as cost centers. Even in growing companies, IT operations managers are expected to manage increased demand with the same number of staff, forcing them to turn to innovation for answers. 

This shift in economic reality has pushed companies to look for ITSM solutions that can do more with less. Automation and AI are no longer optional—they are essential for achieving the level of efficiency required in today’s business environment. ITSM tools that lack these capabilities will soon be considered relics of a bygone era. 

5. A Demographics Shift: The Rise of a New Workforce 

As younger generations enter the workforce, they bring with them new expectations for technology. Millennials and Gen Z employees are digital natives, accustomed to interacting with technology through text and chat interfaces rather than traditional phone calls. They are more comfortable with chatbots, AI-driven systems, and self-service platforms, and they expect the tools they use at work to be just as seamless and intuitive as the apps they use in their personal lives. 

This generational shift is driving the demand for more modern ITSM solutions that embrace AI, automation, and conversational interfaces. The younger workforce expects quick, efficient resolutions to their IT issues without needing to navigate complex, outdated systems. Companies that fail to provide these modern tools risk alienating their employees and falling behind in the talent race. 

6. A Change in Marketplace Players 

The ITSM market is vast, and it has given rise to some of the most valuable companies in the world. ServiceNow, for example, emerged during the transition to cloud and SaaS, and it has since become a dominant player in the ITSM space. However, as ServiceNow’s product continues to evolve, it has also become increasingly expensive, pricing out some mid-sized and smaller companies. 

At the same time, many other players in the ITSM market are still clinging to outdated products, old architectures, and legacy technologies. This creates an opportunity for new entrants to disrupt the market with innovative solutions that address the changing needs of IT operations. Products like Rezolve.ai are gaining traction by offering modern, AI-driven ITSM solutions that are more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective than legacy systems. 

The competition in the ITSM market is fierce, and only the companies that can adapt to the new realities of AI and automation will survive. Those that fail to evolve risk becoming obsolete in the face of more agile and forward-thinking competitors. 

How Companies Adopt and Adapt – And Sometimes Not 

With over 400 ITSM products in the market, it’s clear that not all will survive the current wave of technological change. Many companies are working to introduce AI and automation features into their products, but success will depend on several factors: 

• Smart leadership with the right vision: Companies need leaders who understand the importance of AI and automation and are willing to invest in these technologies. 

• Technology capabilities: The ability to develop and implement AI-driven solutions is critical to staying competitive. 

• Investment: Companies must be willing to invest in the development of new technologies and the integration of AI into their ITSM products. 

• Access to talent: The demand for AI and automation experts is high, and companies that can attract and retain top talent will have a competitive advantage. 

• Time to market: Speed is essential in today’s fast-paced tech environment. Companies that can bring new AI-powered features to market quickly will outpace their competitors. 

• Ability to change: Perhaps most importantly, companies must be willing to embrace change. The pace of innovation in ITSM is accelerating, and those that cling to old ways of thinking will be left behind. 

Adapting to these new realities is easier said than done. Some ITSM products will successfully navigate this transition and emerge stronger on the other side. Others, unfortunately, will not survive. Buyers will need to place their bets wisely, aligning with vendors that have the vision, technology, and resources to lead them into the future of ITSM. 

The Future of ITSM Is AI-Driven 

The days of ITSM tools functioning as mere ticket trackers are ending. The future of ITSM is AI-driven, and GenAI is at the heart of this transformation. As expectations rise, the purpose of ITSM evolves, and new technologies reshape the landscape, only those companies that embrace these changes will survive. 

ITSM solutions that fail to integrate AI and automation will soon become relics of the past—an endangered species in a rapidly changing ecosystem. The time to adapt is now, and those who do will define the next generation of IT service management.