AI use in finance surges as leaders focus on resilience & risk

Protiviti's annual Global Finance Trends Survey has found that confidence in the use of artificial intelligence within finance functions has grown significantly among chief financial officers and finance leaders, with a sharp increase in the use of AI tools reported over the last year.

The survey indicates that 72% of finance organisations are now deploying AI tools, up from 34% last year. This notable growth comes at a time when tariff changes and evolving trade policies are placing additional burdens on finance leaders.

AI adoption accelerates

The survey reveals that AI adoption is not only becoming more common but is also being applied to a broad range of processes. Finance teams are primarily using AI for process automation (66%), enhancing financial forecasting (58%), and risk assessment and management (57%).

"The data show that CFOs are no longer simply stewards of capital who report the results," said Christopher Wright, global leader of Protiviti's CFO Solutions and Business Performance Improvement practice. "They are using scenario planning, AI, and digital modernization to drive innovation, optimize operations, and ensure their organizations are prepared for future challenges - from global price volatility to data governance challenges."

The survey highlights that, despite increased use of digital tools, less than half (41%) of CFOs and finance executives express strong confidence in their organisation's ability to manage ongoing economic challenges and uncertainties.

Impact of tariffs and trade policy

Tariffs and trade policy changes continue to shape the priorities of financial leaders. Many now see increased focus on Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) as necessary, with 39% of surveyed CFOs indicating this area requires greater attention due to the effects of tariffs.

Among the reported impacts, 64% say tariffs are limiting financial forecasting capabilities, 62% note they are influencing reporting timelines and accuracy, and 59% point to an effect on overall profitability. Rather than implementing major changes to offshoring models, most organisations (60%) are choosing to improve supplier communication, and 52% are increasing risk oversight in response to the changing environment.

Finance leaders are placing renewed emphasis on resilience, particularly through better collaboration with suppliers and greater investment in FP&A initiatives. The shift is reflected in greater use of machine learning, predictive and prescriptive analytics, and self-service reporting tools within finance functions.

"As FP&A capabilities mature, CFOs are transforming finance into a strategic engine for the business," Wright noted. "We're seeing a clear shift toward integrated, data-driven decision-making where technologies, including AI, help finance teams measure performance across the enterprise and inform business-wide decisions by the C-suite more broadly."

Cybersecurity collaboration intensifies

Data security and privacy remain top priorities for finance leaders for the second consecutive year. With the expansion of AI use, new risks have emerged, particularly in threat detection and data protection. The survey found that CFOs are increasingly collaborating across functions, especially with Chief Information Officers and Chief Information Security Officers, in order to modernise technology infrastructure and develop comprehensive governance frameworks addressing both operational and reputational risks.

"With AI reshaping the threat landscape and data privacy, CFOs continue to take an active role in cybersecurity governance," Wright added. "They're not just safeguarding financial data - they're shaping how organizations secure, govern, and disclose all of the organization's data in an increasingly complex digital environment."

Future outlook

CFOs are increasingly adapting to a rapidly evolving environment by prioritising AI adoption, strengthening data security, and focusing on strategic scenario planning to steer their organisations through economic uncertainty and geopolitical change. The survey underscores an ongoing shift in the role of finance leaders towards strategic partnership within their organisations, emphasised by a greater focus on technology enablement and risk management amid global challenges.