How AI Is Changing the Needs and Values of Finance Leaders and Their Teams - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM DELOITTE

2026-05-04 · Source: Feeds - HBR.org · Field: Finance & Economics — Corporate Finance & Treasury, Finance Workforce Strategy · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

Deloitte's latest survey of 1,800 global finance leaders and workers, published May 04, 2026, reveals how AI is reshaping the finance workforce, shifting talent needs and employee values. While the 2022 survey anticipated AI would reduce transactional work, finance employees in 2025 still manage these tasks. CFOs are now prioritizing digital, data, and analytics skills, alongside soft skills like teaming, creativity, and empathy, over traditional financial acumen. AI is disrupting financial planning, analytics, and strategic finance, increasing senior-level responsibility for strategy based on AI insights. Organizations favor upskilling existing workforces in digital and data science over hiring new AI-related technical talent. Employee engagement and resistance to new technology are significant challenges, with demand for generative AI experience and cash flow management skills being particularly difficult to fill. Workers now value job flexibility and recognition more than compensation or career growth, while leaders increasingly value meaningful work.

Key takeaway

For finance leaders developing workforce strategies, you must move beyond traditional financial acumen and actively invest in digital, data, and analytics skills, alongside critical soft skills like creativity and empathy. Recognize that your employees now prioritize flexibility and recognition; adapting your value proposition to these changing expectations is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in the AI era. Failure to upskill and address evolving employee values risks talent shortages and resistance to new technologies.

Key insights

AI is fundamentally reshaping finance workforce needs, prioritizing digital and soft skills while altering employee values.

Principles

• Human skills complement AI capabilities.
• Upskilling is preferred over external hiring.
• Employee values shift towards flexibility and recognition.

In practice

• Invest in digital and data science upskilling.
• Prioritize soft skills in hiring and development.
• Offer job flexibility and recognition programs.

Topics

• AI Transformation
• Finance Workforce Strategy
• CFO Priorities
• Digital Upskilling
• Employee Value Proposition

Best for: Executive, Consultant, HR Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Feeds - HBR.org.