In an opinion feature for CFO Dive, Managing Director Daniel Schmeltz explains why enterprise investments in artificial intelligence have yet to translate into sustained financial returns. 

In the article, Daniel highlights practical ways leaders can close the gap between AI activity and AI ROI by embedding AI into how decisions are made, owned, and governed, including how to:

• Anchor AI initiatives to financial value, not functions. Successful programs tie use cases directly to cost, revenue, or cash flow outcomes rather than broad departmental mandates.
• Redesign end‑to‑end human–AI workflows before automating decisions. Value is created when AI augments decision preparation while humans retain judgment and accountability.
• Sequence automation thoughtfully to build trust. Organizations that begin with augmentation and expand governance only after controls are established see stronger, more durable returns.
• Invest in change management through real use. Familiarity and adoption grow through repeated, low‑risk application in daily work — not through top‑down mandates or policy alone.
• Align AI programs to enterprise value strecams. Initiatives tied to outcomes such as cost‑to‑serve, cycle time, or working capital sharpen prioritization and improve impact.

Read the full article to learn why most enterprise AI programs struggle to deliver financial returns and how leaders can treat AI like any other transformation investment.

Read on CFO Dive