Why CFOs Are Leading Their Company's AI Strategy (Not Waiting For IT)

In many organizations, the traditional approach to adopting new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) has been to rely heavily on the IT department. Typically, IT teams evaluate various AI tools, conduct pilot programs, and then present their findings and recommendations to leadership. While this method seems prudent and systematic, it often results in delays and missed opportunities. According to David Zwick, CFO of Billtrust, companies are getting AI implementation backward by waiting for IT to complete their evaluation before moving forward.

Zwick argues that CFOs, rather than IT departments, should take the lead in shaping their company’s AI strategy. As financial leaders, CFOs have a unique vantage point that combines operational insight with strategic financial planning. They understand the company’s goals, resource constraints, and risk tolerance, which positions them well to drive AI initiatives that align with broader business objectives. By leading AI strategy, CFOs can accelerate adoption, ensure investments deliver measurable returns, and avoid the costly delays that come from a purely IT-driven process.

One key reason CFOs are stepping up is the rapid pace of AI innovation and its growing impact across business functions. Waiting for IT to complete lengthy evaluations can mean falling behind competitors who are more agile in deploying AI solutions. CFOs can prioritize AI projects that promise quick wins and scalable benefits, such as automating finance processes, improving forecasting accuracy, or enhancing customer insights. This proactive approach enables companies to capture value early and build momentum for broader AI integration.

Moreover, CFO-led AI strategies encourage cross-functional collaboration. Since AI affects multiple departments, CFOs can coordinate efforts between finance, operations, marketing, and IT to ensure alignment and resource optimization. This holistic perspective helps avoid siloed implementations that fail to deliver enterprise-wide impact. It also fosters a culture of innovation where business leaders, not just technologists, are accountable for leveraging AI to drive growth.

However, this shift does not diminish the importance of IT expertise. Instead, it repositions IT as a critical partner that supports the CFO’s strategic vision by providing technical guidance, ensuring security and compliance, and managing infrastructure. By collaborating closely, CFOs and IT leaders can balance business priorities with technical feasibility, creating a more effective and agile AI adoption process.

In summary, the evolving AI landscape demands a new leadership model where CFOs take an active role in defining and executing AI strategies. This approach reduces costly delays, aligns AI initiatives with business goals, and fosters cross-departmental collaboration. Companies that empower CFOs to lead AI efforts are better positioned to capitalize on AI’s transformative potential and maintain competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.