AI to Increase Productivity and Revenue, say Finance Chiefs

Financial leaders do not anticipate AI will dramatically reshape their hiring strategies in 2026, despite mounting concerns about technology-driven job displacement across industries. Instead, CFOs are channelling AI investments towards productivity enhancement rather than headcount reduction, according to research from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The study, which gathered insights from 750 CFOs, reveals a strategic approach to artificial intelligence adoption that could challenge prevailing narratives about widespread job losses. While more than 54,000 layoffs attributed to AI were announced in 2025, some critics suggest companies may be using the technology as cover for planned restructuring initiatives.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, told attendees at the AI Impact Summit in February 2025: "I don't know what the exact percentage is, but there's some AI washing where people are blaming AI for layoffs that they would otherwise do, and then there's some real displacement by AI of different kinds of jobs."

Finance leaders driving efficiency gains

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the mean productivity growth attributable to AI reached 1.8% in 2025. CFOs surveyed anticipate this figure could nearly double to 3% in 2026 as AI capabilities advance and organisations refine their implementation strategies.

These projections align with research from the University of California, Berkeley, which tracked employees at a technology company over eight months. The study found workers are managing a broader scope of responsibilities than they would have handled before AI adoption, though many reported feeling pressured to sustain these elevated productivity levels.

The Berkeley researchers recommend organisations develop structured approaches to AI integration, including designated periods for focused work and dedicated time for human collaboration, to ensure both productivity and output quality remain strong.

Financial sector sees particular impact

Productivity gains appear particularly pronounced in the finance industry and high-skill roles. CFOs in the finance sector report an implied labour productivity growth – the change in revenue from a company's use of AI – of 0.8%, according to the research.

While financial leaders state that AI investments are not designed to reduce headcount, some organisations are reshaping their workforce structures as the technology transforms finance operations. Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, revealed in February 2024 that the bank would cut 20,000 jobs over a two-year period, with the goal to reduce bureaucracy in the company.

Jane tells The Washington Post: "AI has the potential to make tremendous changes. It's going to create huge numbers of new jobs that we can't even imagine what they are today. It will change the nature of what people do every day… And it will take some jobs away."

Administrative functions face greatest disruption

According to CFOs surveyed, routine clerical roles face the highest risk of displacement from AI adoption, with financial leaders projecting employment in this area could decrease by 2% by 2028. These positions typically involve tasks such as filing, data entry and other administrative duties.

However, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, believes this shift could ultimately benefit workers. Aravind tells the All in podcast that while there may be some "temporary job displacement" as a result of AI, he believes the technology can help people become entrepreneurs and have more ownership over their work – improving wellbeing and job satisfaction.