Automation has always been the name of the game in finance. It has allowed us to close books faster, streamline expense reporting and take manual tasks off busy plates. But today, the opportunity is much bigger.
Now’s the time to go beyond automation and start using AI to shape the future of finance. That means letting AI do more than just tidy up the past, but predict, guide and help build what’s next.
According to The CFO’s Playbook for 2025, most finance folks agree AI is a big deal, with over half of the respondents rating its value as high. Plus, Gartner predicts that, by 2029, a third of finance roles will be shared with AI.
Not replaced — shared.
That’s the shift all finance leaders should be aware of. The future of finance isn’t machines versus humans. It’s people working with AI tools to make better, faster decisions. But that vision only works if we get the implementation right. By doing so, AI becomes a trusted strategic partner – not just a tool – capable of helping to build confidence and drive long-term business growth.
From automation to ally
One of the biggest missteps we see finance teams making? Letting AI run on autopilot.
Think of AI as the world’s best sat-nav. It can show you the route, predict traffic and spot potential hazards you’d miss on your own. But you still have to drive the car. Finance is too nuanced to just let AI run on autopilot
And then there’s the tech overload: that feeling of having a dozen different tools that don’t talk to each other. It’s a recipe for information fatigue and a healthy dose of skepticism about AI. Instead of clarity, you just get clutter.
To move forward, we need a new mindset and start seeing AI as a teammate. When implemented with intention, AI supports your people instead of overriding them. It frees up time so your team can sharpen strategic focus. Used this way, AI becomes a true partner in decision-making that enhances human insight.
So how do you get there?
A future-focused approach
Is your AI helping you look around the corner and anticipate what’s coming? If not, you’re not using it to its full potential.
Predictive analytics is where AI really earns its keep. Whether it’s forecasting cash flow or spotting signs of risk, forward-looking tools empower finance leaders to shift from reactive reporting to proactive planning – and ultimately make better decisions. These tools can uncover complex patterns in data that traditional systems would miss. So, by freeing teams from time-consuming tasks, finance leaders can focus on steering the business in the right direction.
Make AI part of your culture
My team and I are obsessed with making finance feel more human. So for us, it’s a no-brainer that the same thinking has to apply to AI. It’s there to build our confidence, not create more problems.
This approach starts with thinking about AI as a cultural commitment. Finance leaders need to pair technical adoption with thoughtful investment in people. That means going beyond system training to build broader capabilities – from data storytelling to product thinking, experimentation and critical analysis. These are the skills that turn AI insights into real business value.
It also means putting trust and transparency at the centre of how you use AI. Regularly auditing models for bias, tracking engagement and listening closely to team feedback – these are the guardrails that keep AI aligned with its purpose.
The future of finance is collaborative
Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of finance teams will be using their own generative AI platforms. But as businesses rush to innovate internally, it’s worth remembering that the smartest AI strategies aren’t built in isolation.
It’s all a balancing act – combining in-house capabilities with smart, strategic partnerships. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when there are experts out there already tackling complex problems – and doing it well. A hybrid model gives finance teams the flexibility to scale fast while still staying in control.
That same principle applies internally, too. The best AI features aren’t built by one team in a silo – they come from cross-functional collaboration. When engineers, designers, data scientists and customer support work side-by-side, you get tools that are not only powerful, but intuitive and grounded in real-world needs.
Finance leaders now have a choice to make: keep using AI to automate what’s already happened, or start using it to shape what’s next. The best path forward is one where AI is integrated with intention and expertise.
Get that right, and AI doesn’t just make business finance faster – it makes it smarter, more strategic and more human than ever before.
