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The future of AI in finance

Apr 23, 2025 · Authored by Aaron Harris, Chief Technology Officer, Sage

From the 2025 Technology Finance Symposium - West

Aaron Harris – the Chief Technology Officer at Sage – explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the expectations, responsibilities and opportunities for finance leaders. The session provided a candid, practical look at where AI is making an impact today and what CFOs must consider as the technology evolves.

Harris opened by acknowledging the growing weight on finance teams. As businesses shift to digital models, regulatory requirements grow, and financial reporting cycles tighten, CFOs are carrying heavier operational and strategic burdens. “You’re being asked to do more, with greater implications for getting it wrong, with fewer resources,” Harris noted, summarizing the relentless pressure facing finance leaders today.

One of the most striking takeaways was how quickly AI is maturing from an intriguing tool to a business imperative. Harris recalled early skepticism around AI’s ability to handle complex finance functions, but shared how real-world applications – from audit automation to forecasting improvements – are now driving measurable value. Scenario modeling, real-time cash forecasting and continuous risk assessments were cited as areas where AI is delivering immediate benefits.

Importantly, the session highlighted the limitations of generic, off-the-shelf AI tools for finance workflows. Harris shared how his team quickly discovered that widely available AI services lacked the necessary accounting and compliance context. To overcome this, they’ve built proprietary models specifically trained on accounting standards, regulatory frameworks, and financial processes.

A key theme throughout was the idea that AI isn’t replacing finance professionals but rather empowering those who learn to use it effectively. Harris illustrated this with a memorable story about a young global controller who initially feared being displaced by AI, only to embrace the technology and, within three years, ascend to CFO of a major company. “She didn’t get run over by somebody who used AI better than her,” he said, noting that she became the person who used it better.

The session closed with a broader reflection on trust and accountability in AI adoption. The speaker emphasized that for finance functions to fully embrace AI, solutions must be accurate, transparent and secure – with clear controls in place for human oversight.

It was a message grounded in realism, optimism and a clear call to action: Finance leaders who build AI literacy and thoughtful, practical applications now will shape the future of the finance profession.