Core Insights - The finance function is experiencing a dichotomy, with leaders investing in technology and AI while many teams remain entrenched in manual processes that hinder efficiency [1] Group 1: Survey Findings - Two surveys highlight the widening gap between strategic investment in technology and the execution of finance tasks, with a global cost of repetitive tasks estimated at $1.4 trillion [2][3] - Personiv's survey indicates that 60% of finance leaders are adjusting their strategic planning due to macroeconomic policy changes, with many companies increasing capital spending and technology budgets [4] - AI adoption is becoming central to finance strategies, with 70% of public companies integrating AI into compliance and reporting functions, compared to 45% of private firms [5] Group 2: Leadership Perspectives - Public company leaders view AI tools as essential for improving forecasting accuracy and risk management, with nearly three-quarters expecting macroeconomic conditions to improve in the coming year [6]