The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within the finance sector appears to have stabilized, with a reported 59% of finance leaders utilizing AI in their operations by 2025, according to the latest findings from Gartner, Inc. This figure reflects only a slight increase from 58% in the previous year, as indicated in the 2025 Gartner AI in Finance Survey, which surveyed 183 chief financial officers (CFOs) and senior finance leaders from May to June 2025.
Marco Steecker, Senior Director of Research in Gartner’s Finance practice, noted, “The momentum in finance AI adoption has slowed following a sharp increase from 37% in 2023 to 58% adoption last year.” While the overall growth rate has moderated, optimism about AI’s potential remains high among current users. A notable 67% of those utilizing AI in finance report feeling more positive about the technology compared to the previous year. Furthermore, among those who have advanced further in their AI adoption journeys, 23% expressed being “much more optimistic” about AI in 2025, a significant increase from just 7% of those at the initial stages of implementation.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
This increasing confidence indicates that organizations overcoming barriers related to complexity, data, and talent are beginning to see substantial rewards from their AI investments. As technology advances and evolves to address a broader range of applications, CFOs are expected to capitalize on new opportunities that arise. The survey highlighted three primary use cases that have gained traction, with over one-third of respondents adopting them: knowledge management, which aids in better decision-making (49% adoption), accounts payable process automation (37%), and error and anomaly detection (34%).
Steecker emphasized that emerging use cases like code generation stand out for their potential impact, enabling organizations to identify high-leverage opportunities for automation and insight creation. He remarked, “Organizations are finding this use case enables staff to find custom high-leverage opportunities for increased automation and insight generation.”
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AI Transforms Finance: 53% of Companies Implement AI in Accounting, KPMG ReportsHowever, challenges persist. Approximately 16% of finance organizations are skeptical about AI, reporting no plans for implementation in the coming year. Additionally, around 25% of organizations remain uncertain about how to transition from planning to piloting AI solutions. Key obstacles hindering broader adoption include a lack of data literacy and technical skills, as well as inadequate data quality and availability. Organizations that have not yet embraced AI often strugglewith fostering a culture that prioritizes AI integration within their operations.
The initial phase of pilot projects can yield only modest returns, as 91% of respondents reported experiencing low or moderate impacts initially. In contrast, organizations that have progressed further in their AI journeys are more than twice as likely to report moderate impacts and nearly three times as likely to experience high impacts from AI technologies. They are also half as likely to report low impacts. Steecker advises finance leaders to focus on accelerating promising projects through their early development stages, asserting that “AI’s potential in finance remains strong, and organizations that invest in overcoming adoption barriers will be well-positioned to capitalize on future opportunities.”
The Road Ahead for AI in Finance
As the finance sector navigates these challenges, it’s clear that the road ahead will require a concerted effort to address both the technical and cultural hurdles. While the pace of AI adoption may be slowing, the continuous improvement of AI capabilities and the exploration of emerging use cases provide a fertile ground for innovation and competitive advantage. The findings from the Gartner survey emphasize that organizations willing to invest in AI maturity and overcome initial obstacles will likely reap significant benefits, ultimately enhancing decision-making efficiency and operational effectiveness in the finance industry.
For finance professionals and organizations, the current landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. It is imperative to foster a culture of innovation that embraces AI, ensuring that stakeholders are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to leverage this technology effectively. As the industry evolves, ongoing investment in AI initiatives will be crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and achieving long-term strategic goals.
To delve deeper into these findings, Gartner clients can access the full report, “Current State of AI in Finance, 2025,” while non-clients can refer to “The CFO Report” for additional insights into the evolving role of AI in financial operations.
