Financial directors no longer use AI solely for cost savings but see the technology as a lever for long-term growth.
Chief Financial Officers (CFO “s) worldwide are fundamentally changing their approach to artificial intelligence. Five years ago, they cautiously invested in AI, but today they consider it a core part of their business strategy. This is evident from an international study by Salesforce among 261 CFO” s.
Budget Redistribution
In 2020, 70 percent of CFO “s adhered to a rather cautious AI strategy. Today, that share has dropped to just four percent. A third of the respondents now consciously choose an aggressive approach. This translates into a redistribution of budgets: on average, CFOs now allocate 25 percent of their AI budget to agentic AI, applications where digital agents autonomously perform tasks.
According to the report, AI is increasingly used for risk assessment, financial forecasting, and expense management. As a result, the way ROI is evaluated is also shifting. Instead of focusing on short-term results, CFOs now also consider long-term factors such as revenue growth, improved efficiency, and higher-quality decision-making.
New Perspective on ROI
61 percent of CFO “s say that AI agents structurally change their view on investment returns. Classic indicators are no longer sufficient. They are supplemented with broader business goals, such as risk management, compliance, and real-time budget control. At the same time, a majority of respondents acknowledge that AI introduces new risks, particularly in terms of security and privacy.
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The strategic role of CFOs is also evolving. Where they were once primarily overseers of financial stability, they now increasingly see themselves as co-creators of digital transformation. According to the respondents, this shift requires a different mindset, where investments are no longer judged purely on direct profit.
Two out of three CFOs now consider digital labor crucial to remain competitive in the current economic climate. They also expect AI to have a lasting impact on how companies handle budgets and financial planning.