The initial excitement around AI In finance is shifting toward a more practical focus on real business value. Many companies were swept up in the early enthusiasm. However, companies are now leaning toward integrating artificial intelligence more meaningfully into core workflows to deliver lasting value.
While 92% of companies plan to increase their AI investments over the next three years, just 1% of leaders say their organisations are truly AI mature. True maturity means AI drives measurable outcomes and is central and streamlined into daily operations.
So for finance teams, this shift is critical. In an economy shaped by changes in inflation, tariffs and taxes, every investment must deliver clear ROI and help the business by streamlining operations, enhancing forecasts and adopting predictive analytics.
As companies push for sustainable growth and a thawing IPO market signals possible opportunities, scalable and integrated AI solutions will be key to business success.
Building for Real Problems, Not Hypothetical Gaps
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 adopted AI, only 4% have advanced capabilities that drive clear business value. Real impact is delivered when the technology 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.
From a Surplus of Tools to One Unified Platform
What businesses don’t want is extra layers of complexity; they need a straightforward, unified platform that solves real problems.
Large enterprises may seek ‘AI-first’ products and invest in cross-functional AI platforms. But 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, businesses without reams of IT people, benefit more from a consolidated system that delivers efficiency and scalability. This allows 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.
Staging the Runway for the Next Stage of 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 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.
The Continued Road to AI Maturity
As finance teams navigate a more mature AI landscape and prepare for future growth, the focus is shifting from individual features to foundational value. With investors sharpening their focus, they seek durable business models. The companies that succeed will be those that have applied AI to maximise their investment.
These companies haven’t just chased metrics; they’ve spent the past few years strengthening their foundations and embedding AI deeply into their architecture.
- Artificial Intelligence in FinTech