Treasury teams face a dual challenge: operating within complex regulatory frameworks while delivering fast, accurate insights that drive strategic decision-making. Yet for many, manual processes and legacy systems stand in the way.
AI offers a solution. It can instantly reconcile transactions, generate predictive cash forecasts and flag risks before they escalate. In recent surveys, 95% of UK CFOs said they feel at least somewhat prepared to adopt AI in treasury operations, while 64% are piloting or actively using AI in this area.
But the real barrier to adoption is cultural. In 2024, 50% of treasurers admitted they are reluctant to change, preferring traditional, more manual methods. Overcoming this hesitation is the key to unlocking AI’s full potential, allowing teams to operate more efficiently and make faster, data-driven decisions.
Across the wider finance function, there is a growing recognition that AI can streamline processes, but treasury teams, which are more closely tied to banks and regulatory frameworks, are particularly cautious.
And understandably so. Asking treasuries to shake up their existing legacy processes to rely on technology to help handle sensitive data and large transactions, while operating in a world where security and compliance are paramount, is a big ask.
With teams fearing breaching regulations, exposing data, or worse – losing complete autonomy, it stands to reason that caution often translates into hesitation. Added to this is the broader, often-discussed anxiety that AI could replace jobs. But for treasury teams, which are often made up of just one to three highly qualified people, even in large organisations, ‘automation replacing humans’ is less of a concern.
AI adoption is not just a question of installing a new platform. It starts with education: showing teams what AI can (and cannot) do, and providing guardrails to maintain safety and security. Demystifying the role of AI is essential, so teams know how it can benefit their day-to-day lives.
By first building understanding and confidence, teams can fully leverage AI’s capabilities, from consolidating data across banks for faster cash management and automated reconciliation to enhancing funding, borrowing and liquidity planning with real-time insights and risk modelling.
These tools will ultimately give treasury teams faster access to incoming payments and make operations more efficient.
Ultimately, AI adoption is not about redundancy, but about resilience. Clear guidance on trusted AI solutions is key to building confidence, and should serve as the foundation for any successful AI adoption roadmap.
So, how can treasury teams move from hesitancy to adoption? It’s less about technology implementation and more about cultural readiness:
Adoption requires curiosity and an open mindset. Successful organisations are not those with the most advanced or technical systems, but those with teams eager to improve processes, embrace innovation, and adopt new ways of working.
AI is here to empower, not replace, and the shift starts not with technology, but with education. Those that embrace AI will unlock faster insights, stronger compliance and more strategic impact - turning manual burdens into opportunities for value.
The future of treasury is not about fear, but about seizing the power of AI to work smarter, act faster and lead with confidence.
Chris Dunn is finance director at Access PaySuite, part of the Access Group