CFOs Shift from AI Skepticism to Strategic Investment with Agentic AI

Chief financial officers (CFOs) are now betting big on AI, despite initially taking a cautious approach during the early days of the generative AI boom. A recent Salesforce study reveals that CFOs have fundamentally shifted their approach to AI, now viewing it as a business-critical technology and a key revenue driver. Nearly three-quarters (70%) of CFOs reported having a “conservative” AI strategy in 2020. However, the emergence of generative and agentic AI tools has dramatically changed this stance, with only 4% maintaining a cautious approach today. Conversely, a third of CFOs have adopted an “aggressive approach,” ramping up AI adoption and integration across multiple business functions.

ROI and Changing Metrics

A key factor behind this shift is the positive return on investment (ROI) CFOs are now seeing. Concerns about whether AI would deliver value were common throughout 2023 and 2024. Salesforce research from last year showed that 65% of CFOs faced significant pressure to deliver returns on tech investments. With the arrival of AI agents, CFOs are reassessing how they evaluate ROI. Nearly two-thirds (61%) said AI agents have changed their evaluation metrics, focusing more on productivity and efficiency rather than purely financial returns. One respondent noted that measuring ROI on older technologies often depended on immediate, measurable results, whereas agentic AI represents a “slow burn” where returns accrue over the long term. Another explained that traditional technology investments focus on immediate financial returns, but AI benefits span both short- and long-term horizons, with KPIs aligned to broader business outcomes. Robin Washington, president and chief operational and financial officer at Salesforce, emphasized this transformation:

“With AI agents, we're not merely transforming business models; we're fundamentally reshaping the entire scope of the CFO function. This demands a new mindset as we expand beyond financial stewards to also become architects of agentic enterprise value.”

What Are CFOs Excited About?

CFOs now see AI agents as key revenue drivers and tools to streamline operations. On average, financial officers allocate 25% of their total AI budgets to agents, reflecting strong enthusiasm for the technology. The rationale behind this investment is the expectation of long-term savings and revenue growth. Nearly 74% of CFOs believe AI agents will reduce costs and increase revenue by up to 20%. However, concerns remain. Privacy risks associated with AI were cited by 66% of respondents as a leading issue. One CFO remarked:

“Other technology does not typically involve the ethical risks AI does. If AI goes wrong, the reputational cost affects ROI in ways regular tools never would.”

Additionally, 56% of CFOs worry about the long time horizon to realize ROI, especially amid challenging macroeconomic conditions. Despite these concerns, 61% believe AI agents—referred to as “digital labor” by Salesforce—will be crucial for navigating difficult economic environments and maintaining competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AI Adoption by CFOs

Q: What has been the general sentiment of CFOs towards AI in recent years? A: Initially, CFOs approached AI with skepticism. However, their stance has shifted significantly, with many now viewing AI as a business-critical technology and a key driver of revenue. Q: How has the emergence of generative and agentic AI impacted CFOs' strategies? A: Generative and agentic AI have prompted a dramatic shift. While 70% of CFOs had conservative AI strategies in 2020, this number has fallen to just 4%, with a third now adopting aggressive AI strategies. Q: How are CFOs evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of AI? A: CFOs are increasingly focusing on metrics like productivity and efficiency rather than solely financial returns when evaluating AI ROI. They recognize that agentic AI offers long-term benefits that accrue over time, influencing their evaluation metrics. Q: What are the primary benefits CFOs expect from AI agents? A: CFOs anticipate AI agents to significantly reduce costs and increase revenue, with nearly 74% believing they can achieve up to a 20% improvement in both areas. Q: What are the main concerns CFOs have regarding AI adoption? A: Key concerns include privacy risks (cited by 66% of respondents) and the long time horizon to realize ROI, particularly in challenging macroeconomic conditions. Ethical risks and potential reputational damage if AI goes wrong are also significant worries. Q: How are CFOs viewing the role of AI agents in the current economic climate? A: Despite concerns, 61% of CFOs believe AI agents will be crucial for navigating economic challenges and maintaining competitiveness, referring to them as "digital labor."

Crypto Market AI's Take

The financial world's increasing embrace of AI, as highlighted by the CFOs' strategic investments, mirrors the trajectory of advanced AI adoption within the cryptocurrency market. At Crypto Market AI, we leverage cutting-edge AI technologies, including sophisticated AI agents, to provide unparalleled market intelligence and trading automation. Our platform is designed to empower users with data-driven insights, helping them navigate the complexities of digital assets. Understanding the CFO's shift towards efficiency-driven ROI measurement aligns with our commitment to developing AI tools that deliver tangible improvements in productivity and financial performance for our users. Explore how our AI-powered trading tools can help you stay ahead in the dynamic crypto landscape.

CFOs were skeptical about AI investment, but they’ve changed their tune since the arrival of agents