Why CFOs must bridge finance and tech teams to realize AI's full value | Fortune

"EY's newly released 2025 Technology Risk Pulse Survey, based on responses from more than 400 U.S. executives at companies with over $1 billion in annual revenue, reveals a growing gap between finance and technology leaders on AI priorities. According to additional data shared with CFO Daily, 56% of CFOs vs. 70-72% of CIOs and CTOs say AI integration is a top priority over the next two to four years."

"EY said this gap reflects financial caution that could slow innovation and lead to siloed AI development-raising compliance risks and stalling progress. The survey also found that 77% of CFOs are focusing their AI efforts on financial reporting, while 83% of CIOs are prioritizing IT infrastructure. Jim Okas, EY Americas' deputy technology risk leader, and Daryl Box, assurance technology risk leader, told me that CFOs must act as strategic enablers of transformation, aligning investment across finance and tech."

"Siloed AI efforts, Okas warned, can lead to compliance failures, redundant spending, and missed innovation opportunities. To avoid this, CFOs, CIOs, and CTOs should align on shared principles, manage risk jointly, and ensure tech investments support the enterprise as a whole, he said. CFOs can help scale AI by focusing on use cases that drive efficiency and strategic insight, Box advised. By measuring AI's ROI and tracking its impact on compliance, productivity, and cost, finance leaders can also build trust across the C-suite, he added."

CFOs are taking a measured approach to AI, with 56% naming AI integration a near-term priority compared with 70-72% of CIOs and CTOs. CFO AI efforts concentrate on financial reporting, while CIOs prioritize IT infrastructure. Financial caution risks slowing innovation and producing siloed AI development that raises compliance risks, duplicates spending, and misses strategic opportunities. Leaders advise aligning finance and technology investments, establishing shared principles, jointly managing risk, and ensuring enterprise-wide tech support. Measuring AI ROI and tracking impacts on compliance, productivity, and cost can build C-suite trust. Governance and assurance remain central concerns.

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