Irish CFOs upbeat as AI adoption surges in finance

Irish finance leaders expect growth to continue in 2026, according to EY's latest CFO survey, with 94% of respondents anticipating expansion this year.

The survey of 200 CFOs and senior finance leaders in Ireland found an average expected growth rate of 9% across organisations in government and infrastructure, consumer and health, telecommunications, technology and energy.

One of the clearest findings was the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence within finance teams. The share of respondents using AI in the finance function rose to 47%, from 12% a year earlier. Meanwhile, 59% now rank investment in technology infrastructure, AI and advanced data analytics as a priority, up from 20% in the previous survey.

Finance leaders are using AI mainly to automate manual tasks, strengthen risk management and improve fraud detection. The research also pointed to wider use in planning and decision support, with 42% investing in or planning to invest in AI for financial planning, compared with 22% a year earlier.

Risk priorities

Despite the upbeat growth outlook, regulation and cyber threats emerged as the main concerns. When asked to name the single issue keeping them awake at night, 20% chose regulatory and compliance pressures, 18% cited cybersecurity and data breaches, and 15% pointed to access to capital and liquidity.

The findings indicate that financing conditions are no longer the dominant concern for many Irish CFOs, even as interest rates, inflation and geopolitical tensions continue to shape planning. Two other issues, each cited by 13% of respondents, were attracting and retaining finance staff with digital and analytical skills, and managing liquidity and capital allocation.

The regulatory pressure reflects a widening compliance burden for companies operating in Ireland. Areas highlighted in the research included GDPR requirements, the Digital Services Act, NIS2, BEPS Pillar Two, country-by-country reporting and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

Cyber risk also featured prominently in priorities for the next two years. Nearly a quarter of CFOs, or 23%, said strengthening cyber controls is a leading priority, up from 8% in the previous survey.

That increase comes as finance teams rely more heavily on cloud-based systems and AI-supported workflows, widening exposure to cyber incidents and third-party outages. Even with that increased focus, confidence in resilience remains limited: only 12% of organisations had tested third-party outage scenarios and believed they could continue operating without harming revenue, trust or compliance.

Shift in role

The survey also pointed to a shift in how finance chiefs see their roles. More respondents expect to spend time on real-time analysis, scenario modelling, data analytics, predictive analytics and decision modelling, rather than focusing only on traditional financial control.

Almost a third, or 29%, expect to spend more time helping to introduce AI across the finance function. At the same time, 9% said they are not equipped to handle future challenges, while 17% said they need extra training and development to meet the expanding demands of the role.

Vickie Wall, Financial Accounting Advisory Services Leader at EY Ireland, said the findings reflect an upbeat mood among respondents.

"In spite of the challenging global trading landscape in 2025, which has continued into 2026, CFOs are upbeat about their growth prospects. The biggest shift in the past 12 months is the speed at which AI is being embedded into day-to-day finance operations. AI in finance is no longer something people are experimenting with on the side. It has moved increasingly into the core of how teams operate, with technology deployed where it delivers tangible business value, " Wall said.

"CFOs are focusing their investment where the value is clear, with real efficiency gains delivered via automation that free up people for higher-impact work and improvements that strengthen resilience. The organisations that prioritise high-value use cases and build the right capabilities are already seeing the benefits," she added.

Wall also addressed the wider operating backdrop for Irish finance teams. "While this research was conducted before the most recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, CFOs and finance leaders have expressed optimism in their ability to navigate a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape after a period of significant upheaval over the past 12 months," she said.

Talent strain

The data showed growing pressure on skills as finance teams take on more digital and analytical work. Sixty per cent of respondents said they are investing in upskilling existing staff, compared with 47% a year earlier, while investment in new talent rose to 62% from 50%.

Nearly three in five, or 59%, said they are investing in upskilling and reskilling. Another 22% are using secondments to build capability, 19% are recruiting specialist staff, and 33% are outsourcing specialised skills to maintain operational stability.

Boards are also paying closer attention to succession and retention. The survey found that 28% of respondents said talent retention and succession planning are key concerns raised at the board level.

Katie Burns, Consulting Partner at EY Ireland, said, "Demand for AI-literate, data-driven and strategically aligned finance roles is rising as teams reshape for the future. We are seeing real pressure on capacity, with many organisations needing time, skills and structured plans to keep pace with the scale of change.

"Sustained investment in talent and upskilling is now essential to embed the mindsets, approaches and capabilities required. This is particularly important as CFO responsibilities expand, from leading AI adoption to supporting wider long-term organisational transformation," said Burns.