More than a dozen chief financial officers of prominent companies have shared their predictions for the impact of artificial intelligence on finance in 2026. According to these finance chiefs, AI, including agentic AI, is expected to shift from experimentation to proven, enterprise-wide impact, transforming the finance function. This transformation is not just about efficiency gains, but rather about AI serving as a catalyst to reinvent finance as a proactive, strategic driver of the business.

In an interview with Fortune, Gina Mastantuono, president and CFO of ServiceNow, emphasized that 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 just pilots and prototypes. Mastantuono stressed that the real test of AI's effectiveness will be its ability to deliver tangible results, rather than just theoretical potential.

The CFOs also highlighted the importance of strong governance, clean and trusted data, modernized architectures, and human judgment in ensuring the success of AI-driven finance transformations. They acknowledged that while AI has the potential to revolutionize finance, its implementation must be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences.

The use of AI in finance is not a new concept, but rather a rapidly evolving one. Over the past few years, AI has been increasingly adopted by companies to automate routine tasks, improve forecasting, and enhance risk management. However, as AI becomes more sophisticated, its role in finance is expanding beyond mere efficiency gains to include strategic decision-making and proactive risk management.

The implications of AI-driven finance transformations are far-reaching and have significant potential to impact society. By automating routine tasks and improving decision-making, AI can help finance professionals focus on higher-value tasks, such as strategy development and business growth. Additionally, AI-driven finance transformations can help companies make more informed decisions, reduce risk, and improve overall performance.

As AI continues to shape finance in 2026, companies will need to prioritize strong governance, data quality, and human judgment to ensure the success of their AI-driven finance transformations. By doing so, they can unlock the full potential of AI and create a more proactive, strategic, and resilient finance function that drives business growth and success.