Global AI boom delivers 136% ROI, fuels corporate growth, study finds

A new global survey revealed that enterprise fintech companies are realizing a staggering 136 percent return on investment (ROI) in AI initiatives — translating to over $1.36 million in savings for every $1 million invested over three years. This leap in efficiency underscores AI's emerging role not just as a strategic technology, but a core driver of corporate financial performance amid economic uncertainty.

Conducted by independent research firm Financial Times Longitude on behalf of Basware, the AI to ROI report surveyed 400 global CFOs in enterprise firms. It found that 82 percent of organizations making "significant" AI investments reported rising revenue, while 53 percent noted increased gross profit—a markedly higher rate than peers with limited AI implementation.

Finding the investment sweet spot

In current volatile conditions—rooted in tariffs, trade disruptions, and tightening cash flows—CFOs are more wary than ever of unproven tech bets, researchers found. Indeed, 50 percent would slash AI budgets if clear returns do not emerge within a year. That strict approach means early wins matter: CFOs prioritize tools that cut costs and process friction.

Basware's findings also show cost efficiency as the top transformation goal for 32 percent of respondents, highlighting the continued pressure on finance teams to optimize. Within that group, 75 percent indicated AI allows employees to shift away from manual tasks and toward more strategic work.

Amid this promising news, TechRadar Pro called 2025 a "year of reckoning for AI," noting that while interest is high, skepticism around measurable impact remains a critical hurdle.

Fintech, AP automation lead the charge

AI is proving especially transformative in accounts payable (AP). CFO.com and Procurement Mag reported that AP automation as fertile ground for major ROI, with Basware fielding success stories across transactions, fraud detection, and regulatory compliance. Indeed, finance chiefs in the study said they view AP as the quickest route to value: the baseline 136 percent ROI is drawn primarily from AP teams putting AI to work.

One clear example: Billerud, a global packaging company mentioned in the study, slashed manual invoice validations from 15 percent to 9 percent using AI-based invoice reading. That freed up hours for AP staff and triggered a payback within months, researchers found. months.

#h2Innovating with InvoiceAI Basware stated it is doubling down on AI in the invoice lifecycle—celebrating its 40th year, with over $10.1 trillion in business spend processed to date . Its new InvoiceAI suite includes two GenAI tools: AP Business Agent, which uses AI to surface invoice anomalies and suggest actions within approval workflows, and AP Data Agent, which provides invoice insights via national-language queries, helping streamline working capital.

Basware CEO Jason Kurtz emphasized the urgency, stating,"Finance leaders are under the most pressure in 40 years. Prioritizing AI investment in areas that drive significant ROI is essential… It's not solely about saving money but funding the ability to accelerate growth."

The global AI market is predicted to swell to $4.8 trillion by 2033, and CFOs are taking notice. With proven ROI figures now in hand, Basware noted, enterprises will continue pouring trillions into AI, though the rewards may favor those who deploy it strategically and measure diligently.

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