Artificial intelligence is part of our daily lives so seamlessly that many of us barely notice it anymore. It powers everything from the recommendations we see online to chat assistants we rely on for quick answers. If we were to suddenly remove AI from our day-to-day activities, we would painfully notice how many of our tasks would revert to manual, time-consuming processes. In short, AI is everywhere.
The Ubiquitous AI – The Skills Your Finance Team Needs in 2025 and Beyond
By 2025, the nature of work—especially in finance—will be profoundly influenced by AI. We’re already seeing its impact, and it’s only going to grow. One key trend emerging is the need for new skills, with prompting becoming a critical one to master.
Prompting is the art (and science) of asking AI the right questions or giving it clear commands. If today’s online searching is akin to “Googling,” prompting takes it to the next level, allowing you to get incredibly precise or creative results. It’s no longer just about typing keywords into a search bar; it’s about structuring your requests in a way that AI can understand and deliver accurate, actionable responses.
The Importance of Prompting
AI systems aren’t infallible—they make mistakes, just like humans. The difference is that AI will generally give you more accurate responses if you feed it well-crafted prompts. That’s why prompting is becoming an essential skill for every member of a finance team. It’s not merely about typing a question; it’s about understanding the broader context, clarifying the logic behind the request, and defining the scope of the task you want the AI to fulfill.
"AI will generally give you more accurate responses if you feed it well-crafted prompts. That’s why prompting is becoming an essential skill for every member of a finance team."
Although this might sound daunting, it’s a learnable skill. The better you understand the big picture of your finance operations, the easier it becomes to write prompts that guide AI toward the results you want. Think of it as a conversation: the more precise and thoughtful you are, the better the outcome.
From Simple Searches to Software 2.0
Initially, many of us used AI to handle straightforward tasks—like quick data lookups or basic analysis. Now, we’re on the verge of Software 2.0, where we can use AI not just to find information but to create new content and even outline end-to-end processes. Soon, you might guide your entire accounts payable (AP) workflow simply by describing your objectives. Instead of manually configuring business rules or rigid parameters, you’ll be able to say, “Please categorize all incoming invoices by expense type, flag those above $10,000 for approval, and prepare a summary for my monthly review,” and the system will handle it on the fly.
Remember how for years we’ve been hearing that AP work would become more strategic over time? This level of flexibility is a prime example of why that prediction is finally coming true. AI tools now allow users to direct systems to handle repetitive tasks, freeing finance professionals to focus on higher-value activities like analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning—rather than getting bogged down by low-level chores.
Evolving Legislation and Embedded AI Agents
Finance is an ever-changing field, influenced by new regulations, market trends, and societal shifts such as the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. With AI, adapting to these changes becomes faster and more efficient. Picture specialized AI agents embedded in your AP solutions—one devoted specifically to ESG compliance, for instance—that can automatically sift through invoices and highlight relevant sustainability metrics.
Through thoughtful prompting, your AP or Controller teams can guide these agents to surface the data that matters most. Whether it’s carbon emissions disclosures on vendor invoices or compliance checks for international transactions, AI agents will handle the tedious aspects, freeing professionals to focus on analysis, interpretation, and decision-making.
Looking Ahead to an Exciting 2025
As AI continues to evolve, the finance landscape will become even more dynamic. Investing in your team’s ability to prompt AI systems effectively is no longer just a future consideration—it’s the new baseline. By refining these skills and maintaining a strong grasp of your overarching business needs, you’ll ensure your finance department remains agile, innovative, and ready to handle whatever challenges arise.
And with that, here’s to an inspiring and productive journey into 2025. May the new year bring fresh perspectives, cutting-edge AI developments, and continued success for you and your team. Wishing you an interesting—and transformative—year ahead!
