Finance Teams Embrace AI Automation to Drive Strategic Value
Event summary
- The 2026 AFP FP&A Forum will be held March 23-25, 2026, in Indianapolis.
- Sessions focus on how finance teams are integrating AI and automation into workflows.
- Practitioners are emphasizing no-code/low-code tools to reduce reliance on IT and empower finance teams.
- One CFO reportedly saved 50 hours per month by leveraging AI for end-to-end business modeling and scenario analysis.
- The forum highlights the shift towards human skills like coaching and partnership as AI handles routine tasks.
The big picture
The AFP FP&A Forum signals a broader trend of finance departments actively driving digital transformation rather than simply reacting to IT initiatives. The emphasis on no-code/low-code tools democratizes AI adoption, potentially shifting power dynamics within organizations and accelerating the integration of AI into core financial processes. This move underscores the increasing importance of finance as a strategic advisor, leveraging AI to provide deeper insights and inform business decisions.
What we're watching
- Talent Shift
- The ability to retain and upskill finance professionals will be critical as AI adoption accelerates, requiring investment in coaching and cultural adaptation to avoid talent attrition.
- IT Dependency
- The success of finance-led AI initiatives hinges on the sustained availability of accessible, user-friendly no-code/low-code platforms, and the potential for vendor lock-in or platform obsolescence warrants monitoring.
- Data Readiness
- The effectiveness of AI-driven insights will be directly tied to the quality and accessibility of underlying data, suggesting a continued need for investment in data governance and infrastructure.
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