Majority of CFOs believe AI agents will drive revenue and transform existing organisational structures: Salesforce Research

• CFOs recognise that AI has evolved from an emerging technology to a strategic tool, with only 3% of APAC CFOs still conservative in their AI strategy, down drastically from 63% five years ago

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in Asia Pacific (APAC) have fundamentally shifted their approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to new research from Salesforce, moving from cautious spenders to strategic investors who are betting on AI not just for cost-cutting, but as a crucial engine for long-term revenue growth.

A striking 63% of APAC CFOs reported having a conservative AI strategy in 2020. Fast forward to today, and that number has plummeted to a mere 3%. This rapid transformation highlights a widespread recognition among financial leaders that AI is no longer just an emerging technology but a crucial tool for enhancing efficiency, optimising operations, and, critically, driving long-term growth.

CFOs’ fundamental rethinking of tech investment ROI, according to the data, explains this transformation. Half (50%) of APAC CFOs say AI agents — digital labour capable of performing tasks autonomously — are changing how they evaluate ROI, measuring the success of technology investments beyond traditional metrics to encompass a broader range of business outcomes. 

Salesforce President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer Robin Washington said: “The introduction of digital labour isn’t just a technical upgrade — it represents a decisive and strategic shift for CFOs. With AI agents, we’re not merely transforming business models; we’re fundamentally reshaping the entire scope of the CFO function. This demands a new mindset as we expand beyond financial stewards to also become architects of agentic enterprise value.”

Last year, in fact, 65% of global CFOs faced pressure to accelerate tech investment ROI. Today, they recognise the value of AI isn’t just about short-term cost-cutting, but also long-term business outcomes like revenue generation, productivity gains and improved decision-making. – things AI agents are uniquely suited to improve. 

“The ROI of older technology often depends on immediate, measurable results,” said one CFO survey respondent, “while AI’s returns may accrue over the long term through an ongoing process and new business models.”

On average, CFOs are dedicating 23% of their total AI budgets to AI agents, reflecting how digital labour is reshaping spending priorities. In fact, 60% believe AI agents are critical to remaining competitive in today’s economic environment, while 62% say agents are changing how their businesses allocate capital — with almost a third noting that AI demands a bolder mindset around technology investments.

This shift is not only about cost efficiency, but also about growth. Three-quarters (75%) of APAC CFOs believe AI agents will both cut costs and drive revenue, with those adopting them expecting nearly a 20% uplift in company revenue. More than three-quarters (77%) say agents will transform their business models, while 58% see them taking on more strategic work than routine tasks. Already, 83% of CFOs are relying on AI to make business decisions, delegating critical responsibilities such as risk assessments (85%), financial forecasting (65%), and profitability assessments (58%). Together, these findings signal that AI is no longer an experimental tool but a core partner in shaping long-term business outcomes. 

Salesforce helps organisations of any size reimagine their business with AI. Agentforce — the digital labour solution for enterprises — seamlessly integrates with Customer 360 applications, Data Cloud, and Einstein AI to create a limitless workforce, bringing humans and agents together to deliver customer success on a single, trusted platform.