Embarking on a global financial journey, AI adoption varies significantly across regions, as revealed by CCH Tagetik inTouch user conferences. Finance leaders from France, North America, and Japan gathered to share insights and explore AI's potential in finance technology. The survey, conducted among attendees, sheds light on the diverse paths these regions are taking in AI integration.
The AI Adoption Spectrum
The survey highlights that while AI is gaining traction globally, regional disparities exist in terms of maturity, barriers, and priorities. Most finance teams worldwide are still in the early stages of AI adoption, but France stands out with a significant portion already scaling AI across multiple finance functions.
- North America: 86% are exploring use cases or piloting AI, indicating a strong focus on experimentation.
- Japan: Similar trends with 76% in the early phases, emphasizing a cautious approach.
- France: 72% are exploring or piloting AI, but 18% have already scaled AI, showcasing a more aggressive and confident approach.
Barriers to Scaling AI: A Regional Perspective
The survey reveals varying barriers to AI scaling across regions:
- France: Regulatory, security, and ethical concerns top the list (48%), indicating a focus on responsible AI implementation.
- North America: Unclear ROI for AI investments is a significant concern (37%), suggesting a need for clear business value.
- Japan: AI-related funding constraints are a major hurdle (20%), highlighting the importance of financial support.
Building Confidence in Agentic AI
When asked about confidence drivers for deploying agentic AI, regional priorities emerge:
- North America: Proven use cases (65%) are the primary confidence booster.
- France: Integration with existing CPM tools (65%) is key to building trust.
- Japan and North America: Clear governance and accountability frameworks (44% and 41%, respectively) are essential for widespread adoption.
- Japan: Stronger internal AI literacy (36%) is also a significant factor in scaling AI.
A Diverse Journey: Shared Vision, Different Paths
The AI journey in finance is not uniform; it's a diverse narrative. Finance leaders worldwide recognize AI's potential, but regional differences in adoption, barriers, and priorities are evident. Wolters Kluwer, through its CCH Tagetik platform, aims to support customers in overcoming these regional challenges, ensuring a smooth transition to the Future Ready CFO.
Looking Ahead: Future Ready CFO Report
The Future Ready CFO report, launching in March 2026, will provide valuable insights into the evolving finance landscape. It will survey 1,300 CFO decision-makers in North America, Europe, and Japan, exploring technology adoption, operations, and decision-making. This report will shed light on the future of finance leadership, with AI at the forefront, and how these trends will shape the industry.
