In 2026, CFOs predict AI transformation, not just efficiency gains

Artificial intelligence was certainly top of mind for chief financial officers this year. AI-enabled transformation and ROI are key topics of discussion between CFOs, their boards, the broader C-suite, and other stakeholders. As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for predictions about what’s to come in the new year. Fortune asked more than a dozen CFOs of prominent companies: How do you think AI will continue to shape finance in 2026? The finance chiefs broadly expect AI, including agentic AI, to shift from experimentation to proven, enterprise-wide impact, transforming the finance function. At the same time, they stress that success will depend on factors such as strong governance, clean and trusted data, modernized architectures, and human judgment. Overall, they frame AI less as a mere efficiency tool and more as a catalyst to reinvent finance as a proactive, strategic driver of the business. Below are CFOs’ predictions for 2026: Gina Mastantuono, president and CFO, ServiceNow: “In 2026, AI will be judged less on promise and more on proof. Enterprises will continue to expect measurable gains in speed, resilience, and decision quality, not pilots and prototypes. The real shift will be enterprise-wide, with AI embedded into how companies plan and allocate capital, operate, serve customers, and manage risk. That level of impact requires trusted data, clear accountability, and leaders willing to redesign how decisions get made. AI will not replace human experience or judgment, but it will quickly expose where it’s missing and reward organizations that connect vision to AI-powered execution at scale.” Marie Myers, EVP and CFO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise: “ AI isn’t on the horizon; it’s here. In 2026, AI will move beyond experimentation to become a core enabler of finance operations. For HPE, that means our intelligent agents will automate quarterly close, forecasting, and analysis, delivering real-time insights and actionable predictions. Success will hinge on strong governance, human oversight, ROI discipline, and building digital acumen that empowers talent and upskills their expertise in this AI era. In 2026, CFOs need to shift from financial gatekeepers to transformational architects who drive strategy and shape decisions.” Zane Rowe, CFO, Workday: “There has never been a more exciting time to be a CFO with AI unlocking new opportunities for value creation through unprecedented data and insights. Most of the focus has been on experimentation and discovering the art of the possible, but this year, leaders will shift from ‘What can AI do?’ to ‘How do we build the foundation for scale?’. They will manage a more nuanced AI portfolio that balances launching pilots with rolling out proven solutions, and they will prioritize the unglamorous but critical work of data governance, process redesign, and maintenance of new technologies. Success in 2026 will be defined by how we mature our AI strategy to ensure it is both agile, durable, and enterprise-grade.” Mandy Fields, CFO, e.l.f. Beauty : “From where a CFO sits, AI simultaneously helps broaden our view to get a better macro picture and can help put a sharper focus on...

Preview: ~500 words