CFOs believe AI is paying off. Researchers aren’t so sure—yet

Core Insights - The research indicates a "productivity paradox" where CFOs report AI-driven productivity gains of 1.8% for 2025, but actual revenue data suggests smaller gains across industries [2][5][6] Group 1: AI and Productivity - Companies are experiencing a delay in realizing the full financial benefits of AI investments, with reported productivity gains not yet translating into significant revenue increases [3][5] - The study highlights that while high-skill services like finance show the strongest productivity growth from AI, sectors like manufacturing and low-skill services are lagging behind [7] Group 2: CFO Perspectives - CFOs may be overly optimistic about AI's potential, as the productivity gains reported are not yet reflected in revenue [5][8] - The challenge for CFOs is to justify AI investments before tangible returns are visible, emphasizing the need for a multi-year perspective on ROI [9][10]