
AI is now a core part of AP and finance — 72% of organizations report using it in some form to support tasks, workflows, and processes. Adoption is strongest among mid-sized, ERP-integrated, and high-volume teams.
Survey finding (left): Is your organization currently using any AP automation tools that incorporate AI technology for AP or finance tasks, workflows, or processes?
Organizations are doubling down on automation and intelligence. 82% plan to invest in AI-driven and AP automation tools within the next year, with 50% of respondents describing that investment as “very likely.” The surge reflects growing confidence in AI’s ability to drive measurable efficiency and control.
Survey finding (left): How likely is your organization to invest specifically in AI-powered tools for AP or finance workflows in the next 12 months?
86% of respondents say their AP operations are centralized, and two-thirds process more than 1,000 invoices per month. ERP integration is near-universal (91%), but partial or incomplete syncs leave manual steps in place. Pain points remain consistent: manual data entry (37%), high processing costs (36%), and slow approvals (34%).
What this means: Most organizations have adopted automation basics, but significant manual work still exists. Incomplete ERP integrations are a bottleneck, and advanced automation is not yet the norm.
Many organizations track data accuracy (54%), invoice processing time (52%), and approval time (46%), but only 18% measure no-touch rates. Payment delays are common: 65% report at least occasional late payments, creating forecasting and vendor relationship challenges.
What this means: Finance leaders are focused on efficiency, but without measuring automation maturity, they may be overstating progress. Persistent delays show gaps remain between adoption and outcomes.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of organizations report using some form of AI in AP or finance. Top technologies include workflow automation (58%), generative AI (53%), and data extraction tools (44%). Adoption maturity is mixed: 55% are optimizing or at scale, while 45% remain in pilot or early scaling.
What this means: AI is moving beyond experimentation and into daily workflows, but many organizations are still in transition. Adoption spans both practical and emerging tools, showing a sector that’s maturing unevenly.
64% of respondents view AI as a productivity enhancer or digital assistant rather than a role replacement. Leadership support is strong, with more than 80% reporting leadership backing. Trust boundaries remain: 91% expect some form of human review of AI outputs, with accuracy, security, and cost cited as top concerns.
What this means: Adoption is framed more as augmenting teams than eliminating them. Human oversight remains essential, while leadership support suggests the debate is no longer “if” but “how fast.”
IT and Finance Systems leaders (60%) most often lead tool evaluations, with CFOs, senior finance leaders, and AP managers also heavily involved. Discovery is diverse — vendor outreach, online research, industry publications, events, and peer recommendations all play a role. Best-of-breed tools are preferred by 51%, especially among ERP-integrated organizations with defined AI strategies.
What this means: Buying decisions are distributed across multiple stakeholders, requiring a broad engagement strategy. Preference for best-of-breed tools shows organizations will trade simplicity for capability.
Manual inefficiencies still weigh heavily on AP, with manual data entry (37%) and high processing costs (36%) topping the list, followed by invoice coding errors (28%). However, these persistent challenges map directly to AI’s strengths: 44% of respondents name manual data entry as the top issue they want AI to solve, making it the clearest candidate for automation. High costs, slow approvals, and compliance gaps also rank high, highlighting opportunities for AI to reduce workload, boost accuracy, and streamline processes.
What this means: Addressing these pain points with AI offers clear, immediate wins. Leaders can use this alignment to prioritize adoption strategies where ROI will be most visible.
Eighty-two percent of respondents say their organizations are likely to invest in AI for finance or AP in the next 12 months. Priorities include data extraction (44%), invoice approvals (42%), and fraud/compliance monitoring (41%). Confidence in adoption is tied to proof of accuracy and performance, security assurances, and peer validation. Training for both AP teams and leadership is seen as essential.
What this means: Budgets are opening up for AI in AP, but proof points and trust remain prerequisites. Investments will cluster around data-heavy, error-prone processes where the impact is most tangible.