Artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining how enterprises manage finance and global business services (GBS). As organizations face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, accuracy, and strategic decision-making, AI has become a critical enabler of transformation. Insights from The Hackett Group® consistently show that leading organizations are using AI not just to automate tasks, but to fundamentally redesign operating models and unlock enterprise value.
The Strategic Role of AI in Modern Enterprises
AI adoption has moved well beyond experimentation. Enterprises are now embedding AI across core functions to drive measurable outcomes such as cost optimization, faster cycle times, and improved decision quality. Finance and GBS functions, in particular, are at the forefront of this shift due to their data-intensive nature and enterprise-wide impact.
According to The Hackett Group®, top-performing organizations treat AI as a strategic capability rather than a standalone technology initiative. This approach ensures alignment with business objectives, governance standards, and long-term value creation.
AI in Finance: From Transactional Efficiency to Strategic Insight
The use of AI in finance is transforming the finance function from a backward-looking, transactional operation into a forward-looking strategic partner.
Key Applications of AI in Finance
AI is enabling finance teams to automate and enhance a wide range of activities, including:
- Financial planning and forecasting using predictive and scenario-based models
- Intelligent automation of accounting, reconciliations, and close processes
- Advanced analytics for working capital, risk, and cash flow management
- AI-assisted reporting that delivers faster, more accurate insights
By applying machine learning and generative AI, finance leaders can improve forecast accuracy, reduce manual effort, and gain deeper visibility into financial performance drivers.
Business Impact and Value
The Hackett Group® research highlights that organizations leveraging AI in finance achieve:
- Shorter financial close cycles
- Lower operating costs
- Improved compliance and risk management
- Better support for executive decision-making
These benefits allow finance teams to spend less time on manual processing and more time on strategic analysis and advisory roles.
The Evolution of Gen AI in Global Business Services
While finance is undergoing rapid transformation, Global Business Services organizations are also being reshaped by Gen AI in GBS. GBS has traditionally focused on scale, standardization, and cost efficiency. Generative AI is now expanding that mandate to include agility, innovation, and experience improvement.
How Gen AI Is Enhancing GBS Operations
Gen AI is being applied across GBS functions such as finance, HR, procurement, and customer operations to:
- Automate knowledge-intensive processes
- Improve service quality and consistency
- Enable intelligent self-service for internal stakeholders
- Enhance workforce productivity through AI copilots
These capabilities allow GBS organizations to move beyond transactional delivery and become value-driven service hubs.
Shifting the GBS Value Proposition
According to The Hackett Group®, leading GBS organizations are using Gen AI to:
- Increase service scope without proportional cost increases
- Improve responsiveness and decision support
- Enable faster process innovation
This evolution positions GBS as a strategic partner that supports enterprise growth and transformation initiatives.
Governance, Data, and Responsible AI Adoption
Successful AI adoption in finance and GBS requires a strong foundation. The Hackett Group® emphasizes the importance of governance, data quality, and risk management to ensure sustainable value from AI investments.
Critical Enablers for AI Success
Enterprises must focus on:
- High-quality, well-governed data
- Clear ownership and accountability models
- Robust security and compliance frameworks
- Change management and workforce enablement
Without these enablers, AI initiatives risk delivering fragmented or short-lived results.
The Future of AI-Enabled Finance and GBS
Looking ahead, AI will continue to accelerate the convergence of finance and GBS into integrated, insight-driven operating models. Generative AI, in particular, will play a central role in enabling real-time analysis, decision intelligence, and adaptive processes.
The Hackett Group® forecasts that organizations that scale AI effectively will outperform peers by achieving higher productivity, better decision outcomes, and stronger business alignment. These leaders will treat AI as a core enterprise capability, continuously refining use cases and embedding intelligence across end-to-end processes.
Conclusion
AI is no longer optional for finance and GBS leaders—it is essential for staying competitive in an increasingly complex business environment. By strategically adopting AI and Gen AI, organizations can transform finance into a strategic advisor and elevate GBS into a value-driven enterprise function. Guided by research-driven insights from The Hackett Group®, enterprises can unlock sustainable performance improvements and position themselves for long-term success.
Elli Peterson's TechCrunch 