Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in Asia Pacific (APAC) are increasingly viewing artificial intelligence (AI) as a core strategic asset, shifting from cautious early adoption to fully investing in its potential to drive business expansion.
A recent study by Salesforce, a global leader in customer relationship management (CRM) technology, reveals that 75 percent of CFOs in APAC now believe AI agents—digital systems capable of performing tasks autonomously—will not only cut costs but also significantly increase company revenue.
Just five years ago, 63 percent of CFOs were hesitant to fully embrace AI. Today, that figure has dropped to just 3 percent, reflecting a substantial change in how financial leaders view AI.
What was once seen as emerging technology is now recognized as essential for improving productivity, optimizing operations, and driving sustainable growth.
“AI agents represent a fundamental shift for CFOs,” said Robin Washington, President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Salesforce said in a statement.
“They go beyond traditional financial management, enabling CFOs to become drivers of long-term enterprise value,” he added.
The Salesforce study indicates that CFOs are increasingly rethinking how they measure return on investment (ROI) from technology. Previously, the focus was on short-term financial returns.
Now, CFOs see AI’s benefits as long-term, spanning multiple business outcomes. Half of those surveyed reported that AI agents are changing how they evaluate technology investments, with a focus on improving productivity, managing risk, and achieving cost savings.
Approximately 60 percent of CFOs believe AI agents are essential for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. Nearly a third are adopting more assertive strategies, increasing their investments in digital labor as part of their broader business plans.
Additionally, CFOs are confident that AI will contribute significantly to revenue growth. Nearly 75 percent believe AI agents will not only reduce costs but also help drive earnings, with projections suggesting a 20 percent boost in revenue from AI integration.
Moreover, 77 percent foresee AI agents transforming their business models, moving beyond routine tasks to take on more strategic roles.
However, challenges remain. A key concern for 68 percent of CFOs is the risk to security and privacy, while 62 percent are cautious about the extended timelines required to see AI’s full ROI.
The complexity of AI also requires ongoing investment in training and monitoring, making ROI more uncertain than with traditional technologies.
Despite these hurdles, AI is becoming a critical part of key business functions. CFOs are increasingly relying on AI for tasks such as financial forecasting (65 percent), risk assessments (85 percent), and profitability analysis (58 percent).
As AI agents take on more strategic duties, CFOs are gaining greater confidence in their ability to deliver long-term value, expanding their roles beyond finance to oversee broader aspects of business management.
The Salesforce study highlights a fundamental shift in how APAC CFOs view AI—not just as a tool for cost-cutting, but as a vital partner in driving growth and innovation.
As AI continues to evolve, CFOs are positioning themselves at the forefront of reshaping the financial sector, integrating AI into their business strategies for the years ahead.