Gartner: By 2029, CFOs Who Implement Strategic AI Will Improve Margins

By 2029, CFOs in organizations that implement strategic AI and technology portfolio resource deployment will unlock an additional 10 points of margin growth, according to a recent report by Gartner, Inc.

“Three quarters of CFOs are raising their tech budgets for 2026, with nearly half by 10% or more, as AI is reshaping core finance, process automation and analytics,” said Mike Helsel, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner Finance practice. “However, CFOs will not unlock margin gains from AI by chasing isolated pilots: the biggest returns will come from managing finance technology as a portfolio — strengthening proven applications, accelerating high-value automation and scaling AI where governance and integration are maturing.”

Generative AI ranked as the highest future investment priority, while AI agents also showed strong investment intent by finance leaders despite early adoption. Embedded AI is also gaining momentum across cloud ERP and finance point solutions, reflecting demand for practical AI capabilities that enhance existing finance applications.

“To capture the margin upside, CFOs need to align AI and technology investments to business outcomes, supported by strong governance, explainability and data readiness,” said Helsel. “However, CFOs should not allow AI to cause them to overlook valuable core finance technologies if not already implemented.”

Cloud ERP remains the highest-performing technology across the finance technology landscape, with adoption up 7% year over year. Reporting automation was among the most valuable technologies, helping finance teams reduce manual work, improve compliance and decision quality.

“Cloud ERP is increasingly valued not only as a foundation for finance operations, but also as an application for embedded AI that can unlock new levels of insight and automation across finance,” said Helsel.”

The company surveyed 314 organizations worldwide in September through October of 2025. Gartner clients can read more in the “2026 Finance Technology Bullseye Report,” and nonclients can read “The CFO Report.”

Channel Impact^®
The data can be helpful to partners seeking to demonstrate the value of AI to clients, as well as in the formation of their own AI strategies.