Archive · 14 Aug 2025
CFOs Embrace AI: New Roles and Strategic Focus Emerge
Big companies like Salesforce and PayPal are giving their CFOs (people in charge of money) more responsibilities.
Now, they're also in charge of how the company runs day-to-day.
This is happening because of AI (artificial intelligence).
CFOs are realizing AI can help with making money, saving money, and making better decisions.
They are using AI to create content and are moving away from being cautious about AI, and more toward using it to help their companies grow.
The new role means CFOs are becoming key partners in company operations, making them essential to company success.
Salesforce and PayPal have combined CFO and COO roles to leverage AI.
CFOs are becoming more integrated into operations due to AI's impact.
AI is seen as vital for efficiency, optimization, and long-term growth by CFOs.
CFOs are shifting from conservative to fully embracing AI's potential.
CFOs are rethinking return on investment, considering a broader range of outcomes.
- Who
- CFOs, including those at Salesforce and PayPal, are taking on expanded roles.
- What
- CFOs are taking on expanded roles incorporating operations, with a focus on AI.
- When
- In the recent past (within the last year) and in the present, based on recent findings and appointments.
- Where
- At global companies, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Why
- To better leverage AI for strategic insights, efficiency, and long-term growth.
Traditional CFO View
Modern CFO View
ROI evaluation
Traditional CFO View
Prioritizing traditional metrics in ROI.
Modern CFO View
Considering a broader range of outcomes and benefits.
- Companies mentioned
- Salesforce, PayPal
- CFOs mentioned
- Robin Washington, Jamie Miller
- Key Change
- Merging CFO and COO roles
- Primary driver
- AI
- APAC CFOs with conservative AI strategy in 2020
- 63%
- APAC CFOs with conservative AI strategy in 2023
- 33%
- APAC CFOs with conservative AI strategy today
- 3%