I have long found Gartner’s Magic Quadrants (MQs) – a visual representation of market leadership and innovation, both fascinating and useful. When I saw the company recently authorize a hefty $1 billion stock buyback, it raised a deeper question: in an era where AI and LLMs are redefining how we access insights, do Gartner’s legacy frameworks like the MQ still carry weight? I decided it was time to take a closer look at the research powerhouse behind the quadrants, its evolving relevance, and what this capital return move says about its future.