62% of CFOs say their role has expanded to lead their company’s technology or AI strategy, but only 6% think their finance department is actually ready to work with AI at scale. Those are two of the findings from a study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s research arm, based on a survey of 1,500 chief financial officers (CFOs) worldwide and published on 09/30/2026.
The IBM study on CFOs and AI in 20 seconds
- 62% of CFOs already lead technology or AI strategy.
- Only 6% see their finance department ready to use AI at scale.
- Barely 6% let AI recommend or execute investment changes.
- IBM ran the survey with Oxford Economics between February and April 2026.
The report, produced together with Oxford Economics, gathers responses from CFOs and equivalent finance leaders across 33 countries and regions and 26 sectors. Beyond the 62% who have taken on technology or AI strategy, 56% say they have more authority to manage the business portfolio and reallocate capital, and 54% have gained responsibility for designing the business model or growth strategy.
More power, but little AI inside finance
The study’s contrast is between the weight CFOs are gaining and the state of their own departments. Nearly half (48%) describe their finance area as being in a developing phase, with AI skills concentrated in specific roles, teams, or use cases. 42% say they’ve reached a high level of readiness, with teams able to scale AI, and only 6% consider themselves ready for transformation, with AI systematically built into workflows and decision-making.
Something similar happens with money. 48% say their company frequently updates capital allocation for AI and growth using real-time data, while 38% admit they use data but are slow to adjust. Another 48% say finance tracks the value AI generates and moves capital accordingly, but only 8% lead company-wide AI value targets with automated investment triggers. And barely 6% let AI recommend or execute reallocations within defined limits.
Looking ahead to 2030, more than half expect greater responsibility on three fronts: setting financial and ethical boundaries for AI (56%), defining operating models, templates, and organizational structure (55%), and driving value creation and portfolio strategy (52%).
From watching spending to deciding strategy
James Kavanaugh, IBM’s CFO, writes the study’s foreword: “Historically, the CFO was seen as the guardian of stability, responsible for financial discipline and risk control. Those responsibilities remain essential. But today it’s not enough for CFOs and their teams to evaluate decisions. They have to shape them from the start.”
The report also includes views from CFOs at several companies. Koichi Takahashi, CFO of Daikin Industries, explains that they want to delegate forecasting to AI and devote human effort to higher-level decisions. Lindsey Crossland, CFO of KPMG’s UK practice, suggests not committing every investment in the budget and instead holding back funds for new initiatives that start gaining traction.
The study fits with the one IBM published in May about CEOs, which concluded that CEOs are redesigning leadership for the AI era. AI is no longer just a technology department matter; it’s entering how power is shared among executive committees.
‘AI-first’ CFOs, and the fine print
IBM identifies a group of CFOs it calls “AI-first”, whose organizations show advanced capabilities in strategy, AI governance, integrated intelligence, capital allocation, and long-term planning. According to the study, their companies grew revenue 23% more than others between 2022 and 2024, are 18% more likely to execute their strategy well, and approve funding for new AI initiatives 15% faster.
Those figures deserve a cautious read. The revenue growth covers a period before the survey and shows a correlation, not proof that AI caused it. Some of the indicators rely on respondents’ own assessment of their company relative to competitors. And the study is signed by IBM, which sells AI software, infrastructure, and consulting to those same executives. The release also doesn’t break results down by country, so there’s no specific data for Spain.
Frequently asked questions
What does the IBM study say about CFOs?
That 62% have expanded their role toward technology or AI strategy, but only 6% consider their finance department ready to use AI at scale.
How was the study conducted?
The IBM Institute for Business Value and Oxford Economics surveyed 1,500 CFOs or equivalent finance leaders across 33 countries and regions and 26 sectors between February and April 2026.
What is an “AI-first” CFO according to IBM?
A CFO whose organization shows advanced capabilities in strategy, AI governance, integrated intelligence, capital allocation, and long-term planning.
Does AI get to decide company investments?
Very rarely. Only 6% of respondents let AI recommend or execute capital reallocations within defined limits.
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