Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing financial leadership worldwide, and CFOs in the United States are navigating the unique challenges and opportunities brought by its adoption. Kyriba recently conducted a global CFO survey of more than 1,000 companies to understand how CFOs and senior financial decision-makers view AI's impact on the financial sector, exploring its strategic benefits as well as the hurdles to integration.
In both the global and US CFO survey results, a key theme that emerges is a trust gap, where concerns about security, privacy, and accuracy create hesitancy toward fully adopting AI-driven solutions. In fact, 78% of US financial leaders identify security and privacy issues as critical challenges. At the same time, the survey highlights financial leaders also recognize AI’s immense potential to transform their roles and drive strategic value.
From caution to innovation, here’s how AI is reshaping the future of finance and evolving the roles of financial leaders in the United States.
Key trends from the US CFO survey
CFOs highlight security concerns with AI adoption in finance: 78% of US CFOs report major concerns about security and privacy risks in AI, with issues like data leaks, accuracy, and regulatory compliance hindering confidence in adoption.
CFOs plan to embrace AI for strategic initiatives: US CFOs are leveraging AI for high-level tasks such as strategic planning (52%) and investment analysis (48%), shifting its role from operational efficiency to empowering high-level decision-making.
AI drives evolution in financial leadership: AI is reshaping CFO roles, with 76% highlighting AI literacy as vital for future financial leaders to remain competitive.
Note: The global survey gathered insights from 1,000 CFOs at companies generating $100M+ in revenue, with 250 respondents from the United States. Many survey questions prompted respondents to select more than one answer. Due to rounding, percentages may not always appear to add up to 100%.
Why US CFOs are cautious about AI adoption in finance
US CFOs express significant concerns about adopting and using AI in finance, with trust issues rooted in security, privacy, and ethical challenges. The distrust in AI-based tools is understandable, with AI errors carrying the potential for financial losses, regulatory breaches, mishandling of sensitive data, and mismanagement of liquidity.
When asked to identify the biggest challenge related to adopting AI technologies in their finance departments, it’s clear that building trust in AI systems is a significant hurdle to adoption. US CFOs indicate security and ethics as their number one concern (31%), followed by allocation of resources (21%), and lack of internal knowledge (17%).
When considering AI use in their finance operations, over half (54%) of US CFOs highlight security/leaking of confidential information as the top concern, followed by accuracy (46%) and regulatory compliance (42%). While the promise of AI is undeniable, these findings demonstrate a critical need for AI systems built with security, transparency, and accountability at their core.
Top US CFO concerns about AI use in finance
This trust gap extends to broader organizational risks, with 78% of US financial leaders identifying security and privacy issues as critical external challenges, alongside inflation/cost of living (80%), market volatility (75%), and interest rates (74%).
These concerns show that US CFOs are cautious about AI-specific risks while also viewing security as a broader organizational challenge. The consequences of this distrust are profound. If security and privacy concerns remain unaddressed, organizations may find it challenging to unlock AI's full potential.
Establishing trust through comprehensive security measures is crucial to bridging this gap. By adopting robust security protocols, CFOs can embrace AI with confidence, leveraging it to foster innovation, improve decision-making, and effectively manage the complexities of modern finance. Without these measures, the trust gap will persist, hindering AI adoption.
“AI-focused skills will empower finance professionals to confidently work with AI technologies and bridge the trust gap by ensuring decisions made by AI systems are transparent and understandable. … By combining human expertise with AI's analytical capabilities, organizations can make more informed decisions.”
-Morné Rossouw, Chief AI Officer, Kyriba
Explore the full interview in our global CFO survey for more insights.
AI in action: US CFOs seize opportunities beyond the gap
While the challenges surrounding AI adoption in finance are significant, its potential to drive financial resilience and innovation is undeniable. Once CFOs can trust AI, they can unlock many opportunities and benefits, such as greater operational efficiency, more accurate financial insights, and extra time to focus on strategic initiatives.
Despite the significant trust gap, US CFOs are embracing AI’s potential:
56% are leveraging AI in the majority of their financial decision-making processes, outpacing the UK (50%), France (36%), and Japan (25%).
94% feel prepared to adopt AI technologies in treasury and finance operations.
98% prioritize AI integration in their business operations.
For US organizations, the timeline to put AI in action is also more accelerated than global trends. Nearly 60% of US CFOs plan to integrate AI into their treasury and finance operations within the next 12 months, compared to just 36% of CFOs worldwide. These trends indicate that US CFOs are in a strong position–as early adopters of AI are poised to set the standard for financial leadership, compelling others to follow suit.
By leveraging AI, businesses gain the agility needed to address external factors such as market volatility, inflation, tariff impacts, and geopolitical risks. And similar to their global counterparts, 56% of US CFOs are already using AI as the top tactic to navigate these external factors.
The US CFO survey results reveal increasing enthusiasm to leverage AI for improvements and innovations in financial operations. When asked what excites them about the potential of using AI in finance operations, US CFOs highlight:
What excites US CFOs about AI’s potential in finance
As organizations evolve to embrace AI-based tools, they stand to increasingly benefit from enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and compliance, while driving cost-effectiveness and revenue growth in financial operations.
The US survey findings send a clear signal that CFOs see the value of leveraging AI to enhance decision-making and drive strategic growth. When asked how their organizations plan to use AI for treasury operations throughout 2025 and into 2026, US CFOs cite:
How US CFOs plan to use AI for treasury operations
The survey results indicate a shift in how CFOs perceive AI’s potential in finance. Rather than viewing it solely as a tool for basic automation and operational efficiency, the majority now see it as a driver for high-level strategic transformation. For organizations slowly adopting AI, there is a clear risk of falling behind.
A patchwork of legislation keeps US CFOs on their toes
AI legislation in the United States is evolving, but remains fragmented. Currently, there are no comprehensive federal regulations or legislation governing artificial intelligence. While initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 have provided a strategic framework, federal action has primarily relied on adapting existing regulations to AI's unique challenges. Recent executive orders reflect shifting priorities, promoting US leadership in AI innovation.
At the state level, a surge of activity is shaping the regulatory landscape. Nearly 100 AI-related bills became law across the nation in 2024, with states like Colorado and California leading the charge. Colorado’s AI Act, for example, is the first comprehensive state law targeting high-risk AI systems, prioritizing transparency, fairness, and consumer protection. California has passed several noteworthy laws, including mandates on AI-generated content disclosures and controls against deepfake deception. For CFOs, these state-level efforts could represent a patchwork regulatory framework in the absence of federal oversight, underscoring the importance of staying informed and compliant as they consider AI integration.
AI drives evolution in US CFO leadership
An important takeaway from the survey is AI’s role in reshaping CFO responsibilities. From automating repetitive tasks to enabling data-driven decision-making, AI is redefining what it means to be a CFO.
“Traditionally focused on compliance and reporting, CFOs are now becoming strategic advisors. AI reduces transactional tasks, enabling us to interpret predictive insights and guide long-term strategies. The role is evolving from number-crunching to connecting data with broader organizational goals.”
-Adam Drew, CFO, Kyriba
Explore the full interview with Adam Drew in our global CFO survey for more insights.
Over two-thirds (72%) of US financial leaders believe AI will drive the most significant transformation in their roles over the next five years, more so than workforce shifts (60%) and C-suite succession (50%). These findings signal a growing recognition among financial leaders that AI will be a pivotal force in shaping the future of financial leadership, driving innovation and redefining traditional roles to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economic environment.
US CFOs are also anticipating a future where AI literacy becomes a core competency. Three-fourths (76%) indicate that future CFOs and treasurers will need strong competencies in AI and technology to maintain a competitive advantage, ranking higher than learning about risk management (59%) and the role of a CEO (54%). These findings show that US financial leaders are prioritizing AI and technology skills as essential for staying competitive, highlighting a shift toward a more tech-savvy and strategically focused approach to financial leadership.
US CFO AI adoption trends advance financial leadership
US CFO AI adoption trends mark a defining moment for financial leadership, with artificial intelligence emerging as both a catalyst for transformation and a challenge to overcome. The trust gap, driven by concerns about security, privacy, and accuracy, underscores a critical opportunity for organizations to differentiate themselves. By fostering trust through transparency, stronger data governance, and collaboration, CFOs can lead their organizations toward fully realizing AI’s transformative power, enhancing their roles as strategic drivers of innovation and growth.
AI is far more than a tool for efficiency; it is redefining the way financial leaders approach decision-making, risk management, and long-term strategy. With a majority of US CFOs identifying AI literacy as pivotal to staying competitive, the future of finance depends on leaders who blend technological proficiency with visionary expertise. By embedding AI into strategic priorities like planning and forecasting, today’s CFOs can position their organizations to thrive in an era of rapid change and complexity.
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