Investment in AI by finance teams continues to grow, with 93 per cent of CFOs saying they expect to see a rise in AI and digital investment over the next year. Meanwhile, adoption has more than doubled since 2024.

Our research found that almost half (49 per cent) of UK finance leaders admit their organisation has gaps in its AI governance strategy. That’s a concern not just from a compliance perspective, but because governance is what enables businesses to adopt AI confidently, at scale.

Without these clear guardrails, employees will naturally make their own decisions about which AI tools to use and how to use them. That’s where shadow AI is born.

For an industry that’s traditionally been comfortable with established ways of working, it’s genuinely encouraging to see such widespread enthusiasm for AI in finance. In fact, our research found that 83 per cent of finance leaders believe AI will play an important role in helping them achieve their business goals.

What’s less encouraging is that almost a quarter (23 per cent) admit they have little to no AI governance measures in place. That represents a disconnect finance leaders can’t afford to ignore.

Too often, governance is treated as something to think about and address only once the adoption of new technology is in motion. In reality, the two have to be developed alongside one another. There’s often a concern that governance can put the brakes on innovation. But that’s missing the point. Good governance doesn’t stop organisations from innovating, it exists to make sure that innovation happens safely and in a way that business can measure and trust.

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