Emburse, a leader in travel and expense management solutions, recently published a report titled “AI-Powered Finance: New Practices, ROI and Future Outlook,” based on a survey of 1,500 finance professionals from the U.S. and UK. The report explores the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by finance teams and their perspectives on the technology's impact and future potential. Key findings indicate that while AI is increasingly being integrated into finance operations, the process is happening cautiously. Sixty-six percent of the surveyed organizations have already invested in AI, and finance professionals report using it 3.7 times a day on average. Currently, 37% of their tasks are influenced by AI to some degree. The expected transformation over the next five years is significant, particularly in the areas of planning and forecasting, with 26% of respondents expecting major changes. However, several challenges remain. Data security and privacy risks are the top concern, cited by 24% of respondents. AI accuracy, with 18% worried about mistakes or errors, and the potential impact on finance roles, also a concern for 18%, are other significant hurdles. Compliance and regulatory issues are the least pressing, mentioned by only 10% of participants. Notably, nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents would consider leaving their job if their employer failed to adequately address these AI-related risks. Despite these concerns, the majority (74%) of respondents believe their company's return on investment (ROI) in AI meets or exceeds expectations. The most successful applications of AI so far are in automating accounts payable and receivable (26%), forecasting and budgeting (26%), and fraud detection (25%). Emburse's CEO, Marne Martin, emphasizes the transition from reactive expense tracking to proactive, data-driven decision-making through “Expense Intelligence.” She notes that this approach involves integrating spend data, automation, and strategic visibility to maximize business value. According to Adriana Carpenter, CFO of Emburse, finance teams are approaching AI adoption with the same careful, analytical rigor they apply to all strategic initiatives. This ensures the integrity of AI-driven workflows and fosters better business performance and team alignment. The survey also highlights the evolving methods for measuring AI's ROI in finance. While traditional metrics like cost savings and operational efficiency remain important, there is a growing emphasis on long-term strategic impact and real-time, adaptive evaluation frameworks. Eighty-one percent of respondents reported that measuring AI's ROI has altered their approach to evaluating business costs, including investments in software, systems, and vendor partnerships. A majority (53%) still rely on standard financial or efficiency metrics, while 30% focus on strategic impact, and 27% adopt real-time evaluation methods. This shift indicates a broader recognition that value in financial operations is not static but continuously evolving. As AI becomes more integral to decision-making processes, organizations are rethinking how they define and measure success, extending this redefined ROI to all innovations that drive growth and agility. Marne Martin and Adriana Carpenter agree that for AI to fully realize its potential, it must be tailored to the specific needs of finance leaders, ensuring it is reliable and scalable while delivering measurable business impact. Emburse positions itself as a company committed to creating solutions that facilitate this transition, enabling finance professionals to manage travel and expenses more efficiently and effectively. The survey methodology involved Talker Research, a market research firm, collecting responses from 1,000 American and 500 UK finance professionals between March 24-31, 2025. This comprehensive approach provides a balanced view of AI adoption and its implications across different regions. Industry insiders applaud Emburse's report for highlighting the pragmatic yet progressive nature of AI adoption in finance. The findings suggest that while initial concerns are valid, the benefits of AI, when implemented thoughtfully, are substantial. Companies must continue to address the identified challenges to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the potential of AI in their financial operations. Emburse, with its robust suite of travel and expense management tools, is well-positioned to support this evolution, contributing to the broader trend of data-driven and efficient financial practices.