CFOs Were Skeptical About AI Investment, But They’ve Changed Their Tune Since the Arrival of Agents

Chief financial officers (CFOs) are now betting big on AI, despite taking a cautious approach during the early days of the generative AI boom. A new study from Salesforce shows 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, but the emergence of generative and agentic AI tools means just 4% are pursuing a cautious approach today. In contrast, a third of respondents told Salesforce they have adopted an “aggressive approach,” ramping up adoption and integration across an array of business functions.

Positive ROI Drives Change

A key factor behind this change lies in positive returns on investment (ROI). Concerns about whether AI would deliver value were common throughout 2023 and 2024. Research from Salesforce last year showed 65% of CFOs faced huge pressure to deliver returns on tech investments. However, with the arrival of AI agents, there’s been a marked change in perspective. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of CFOs said AI agents have changed how they evaluate ROI, now measuring success based on metrics such as productivity and efficiency rather than just financial returns. One respondent noted that measuring ROI on “older technology often depends on immediate, measurable results.” With agentic AI, returns tend to "accrue over the long term.” Another added, “Traditional technology investments mainly focus on immediate financial returns that can be easily visible, but AI benefits are a mix of long and short term duration. KPIs are focused based on business outcomes.” Robin Washington, president and chief operational and financial officer at Salesforce, said the introduction of agentic AI has prompted a “decisive and strategic shift for CFOs.”

“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 view AI agents as a key revenue driver and a means to streamline operations. On average, financial officers are dedicating 25% of their total AI budgets to agents, underlining the huge appetite for the technology. The logic behind this heightened investment lies in long-term savings and broader revenue gains. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of CFOs believe AI agents will cut costs and increase revenue by up to 20%. However, concerns remain. Privacy risks associated with AI technology were cited by 66% of respondents as a leading issue.

“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,” one respondent told Salesforce.

Additionally, with enterprises facing challenging macroeconomic conditions, the long time to ROI was a notable worry for 56% of respondents. Regardless, 61% said AI agents, or “digital labor” as Salesforce dubs it, will be crucial in navigating difficult conditions and remaining competitive in the current economic environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CFO AI Investment Strategy

Q: What was the general sentiment of CFOs towards AI investment in 2020? A: In 2020, approximately 70% of CFOs had a "conservative" approach to AI investment. Q: How has the arrival of generative and agentic AI tools changed CFOs' approach to AI investment? A: The emergence of generative and agentic AI tools has led to a significant shift, with only 4% of CFOs now pursuing a cautious approach. A third of respondents have adopted an "aggressive approach," increasing adoption and integration across various business functions. Q: What is the primary driver behind CFOs' increased confidence in AI investment? A: The primary driver is the positive return on investment (ROI) demonstrated by AI, particularly AI agents. Q: How do CFOs now evaluate the ROI of AI agents compared to traditional technologies? A: CFOs are now measuring the success of AI agents based on metrics such as productivity and efficiency, in addition to financial returns. Returns are also seen as accruing over the long term, rather than solely relying on immediate, measurable financial results. Q: What percentage of their AI budgets are CFOs dedicating to AI agents? A: On average, CFOs are dedicating 25% of their total AI budgets to AI agents. Q: What are the projected cost savings and revenue increases CFOs expect from AI agents? A: Nearly three-quarters (74%) of CFOs believe AI agents will cut costs and increase revenue by up to 20%. Q: What are the main concerns CFOs have regarding AI technology? A: The leading concerns are privacy risks (cited by 66% of respondents) and the time it takes to achieve ROI, especially given challenging macroeconomic conditions (a worry for 56% of respondents). Q: How do CFOs view the role of AI agents (digital labor) in navigating current economic conditions? A: A majority (61%) believe that AI agents will be crucial in navigating difficult economic conditions and maintaining competitiveness.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The shift in CFO sentiment towards AI investment, as highlighted in this article, mirrors the growing integration of AI technologies within the financial sector, including cryptocurrency markets. At Crypto Market AI, we leverage advanced AI agents and machine learning models to provide sophisticated market analysis, predictive insights, and automated trading strategies. Our platform is designed to help users navigate the volatility and complexity of the crypto landscape by offering tools that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. Understanding the strategic importance CFOs now place on AI for revenue generation and cost savings underscores the value proposition of AI-driven financial solutions. For those looking to harness AI for financial growth, our exploration of AI agents in finance demonstrates how these technologies are being applied across various financial services, offering insights into their potential impact. Furthermore, our commitment to providing a secure and compliant trading environment aligns with the growing emphasis on responsible AI implementation in finance, as indicated by CFOs' concerns about privacy risks.

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