Finance teams are now pushing past the AI hype, zeroing in on practical applications that yield real business value and measurable ROI. While the appeal of automation and data-driven insights has been strong for years, many teams still struggle to turn interest into tangible impact. The challenge isn’t a lack of ambition, but rather pinpointing precisely where AI can genuinely enhance efficiency, accelerate maturity, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Nearly 77% of companies are already using AI or exploring its adoption with a further 66% intending to integrate it globally within the next three years. Despite this, only 1% of leaders claim to have AI maturity. That means very few businesses generate tangible outcomes from AI and, for many, it isn’t yet integrated as a seamless part of daily business operations.
Amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, including a shifting jobs market, finance teams must be able to strike the right balance in their approach to embracing technology and delivering real revenue-driving impact.
With the UK government taking steps to revitalise the IPO market and drive sustainable growth, businesses that focus on scalable and integrated AI solutions will be best placed to capitalise on these emerging opportunities.
Focus on solving real-world problems
Most companies agree that innovation in the finance department is key to unlocking the next level of growth. However, despite growing ambition to adopt AI and automation, 84% of finance teams still rely heavily on manual processes, leaving little leftover time for strategic thinking.
To truly drive value, AI must be applied not just tactically, but strategically for each business. Research shows that while 74% of companies have integrated AI, only 4% have advanced AI capabilities that drive clear business value. Real impact is delivered when AI goes beyond simple workflow automation and becomes a source of real-time, predictive insight across the finance function.
Take treasury operations, for example. Traditionally, treasury teams have faced mounting challenges in managing cash flow, forecasting liquidity, and overseeing global bank relationships. With AI-powered tools, finance teams can now gain real-time, intelligent cash visibility across thousands of banks, ERP systems, and data sources. This transformation not only empowers leaders to make faster and smarter decisions but also underscores the importance of streamlined systems within the finance function.
Remove complexity with a unified platform
What businesses don’t want is extra layers of complexity; they need a straightforward, unified platform that solves real problems.
While large enterprises may seek “AI-first” products and invest in cross-functional AI platforms, they typically have the resources to fund extensive IT teams or consultants to customise these systems. However, for most businesses, this level of support isn’t a reality. So, for businesses without reams of IT people, benefit more from a consolidated system that delivers efficiency and scalability, allowing them to stay focused on growth and innovation.
If AI is seamlessly embedded within these solutions, it can enhance performance without increasing complexity. Whether improving automation, workflow management or operational efficiency, AI should be an integral part of the product.
Lay the groundwork for sustainable growth
Companies that fully integrate AI will be more ready for sustainable growth. However, integration is just the start. Once AI is embedded, organisations must focus on how it can deliver real, strategic value. This means designing AI solutions not only to automate processes but to provide actionable insights. Currently, only 26% have developed the skills to move beyond AI conceptually and deliver real value. In the finance function, using AI strategically can lower processing costs by 81% and speed up processing times by 73%.
As more advanced models are integrated into workplaces systems, they can predict payment patterns, cash flow trends, and vendor behaviour. In today’s dynamic environment, companies that have sustainable, AI-powered solutions centred on usability and scalability are best positioned for the next stage of growth.
Advancing towards AI maturity
As AI becomes more established, finance teams are rightly shifting their priorities. Rather than focusing on standalone features, they’re looking for solutions that deliver lasting, foundational value. Investors, too, are raising the bar, seeking out businesses and opportunities built on durable, resilient models.
The companies that will stand out are those that have embedded AI into the fabric of their operations, not just as a tool, but as a driver of smarter decisions, greater efficiency, and better customer outcomes. Instead of chasing superficial metrics, they’ve spent the past few years reinforcing their core systems, weaving AI into the very fabric of their operations to drive real, sustainable growth.
