{
  "id": 10933536,
  "title": "AI is giving CFOs a bigger slice of the C-suite, new IBM data shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ai-is-giving-cfos-a-bigger-slice-of-the-c-suite-new-ibm-data-shows",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-30T11:35:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/30/ai-giving-cfo-bigger-slice-c-suite-new-ibm-data-shows/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Good morning. New IBM research reveals the growing influence of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the C-suite, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The study indicates that AI-first CFOs are taking on broader and deeper responsibilities compared to their predecessors. According to the findings, 62% of surveyed CFOs believe their role has expanded into enterprise technology or AI strategy leadership, while more than half report increased authority over portfolio management and capital reallocation. Furthermore, by 2030, nearly half of CFOs anticipate even broader roles, such as managing AI-related ethical guardrails, shaping operating models, and contributing to enterprise value creation.\n\nJim Kavanaugh, IBM's CFO and SVP of finance and operations, explains that the traditional CFO role, centered on controllership and risk management, has evolved into a \"value creator\" position. He emphasizes that AI is pivotal in this transformation, enabling CFOs to connect strategic decisions with measurable value across the organization. Kavanaugh notes that AI-first CFOs excel in five key areas: shaping organizational advantage, governance, intelligence, capital motion, and building optionality. Companies led by these AI-first CFOs have outperformed their peers by 23% in revenue growth from 2022 to 2024.\n\nHowever, the study also highlights that only 6% of CFOs consider their finance organizations transformation-ready, indicating a lag in integrating AI into workflows and decision-making processes. Kavanaugh attributes this gap to a sequencing issue, suggesting that companies should prioritize data architecture, business-model redesign, and workflow improvements before deploying AI technology. IBM's own experience, particularly in its quote-to-cash process, demonstrates the potential of AI to drive significant improvements in productivity and cash conversion. By automating 364 different iterations across various roles and functions, IBM achieved 90% touchless automation, a 60% productivity boost, and a 54% increase in cash conversion velocity. This transformation has generated $4.5 billion in productivity gains over the past three years, with IBM aiming to reach an additional $5.5 billion by 2026.\n\nKavanaugh stresses that the key challenge lies in treating AI as a business transformation rather than a mere technology project. He advocates for a holistic approach that combines human and digital capabilities to create sustainable enterprise value.",
  "summary": "Jim Kavanaugh, IBM’s CFO and SVP of finance and operations, says AI is shifting CFOs from “guardians of stability” to “agents of transformation.”",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}