AI Trends in Financial Management for 2026

This report presents findings on the trends in AI adoption among midsize companies and private equity (PE) firms, highlighting the increasing investment in AI technologies. The research indicates that as realized returns align more closely with expected ROI, CFOs of midsize companies are planning to enhance their AI investments over the next five years. A significant focus is on agentic AI, which has emerged as a key driver for AI usage, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, fraud detection, and financial planning. The report outlines how both midsize companies and PE firms are transitioning from outsourcing to in-house AI development, reflecting a growing acceptance of AI among employees. Additionally, customer satisfaction is identified as a critical measure of success for AI implementation projects. The document details the methodologies used for the survey and the demographic of participants, providing a comprehensive view of the current landscape of AI in financial management.