McKinsey on Finance, #90 “Finance in the age of AI”

Real-world examples reveal how finance functions apply AI to deliver faster insights, stronger controls, and measurable results.

Status quo bias and inertia are quiet forces blocking organizations’ progress with gen AI. These moves can overcome them.

The CEO of Waters Corporation describes how core leadership practices such as deep learning and simple messaging have helped the life sciences company bolster its brand and deliver greater returns.

After years of decline, economic profits rebounded with a vengeance—driven by tech companies, performance in the energy and materials sector, and capital growth in China and North America.

Anna Manz shares her learnings on managing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, setting priorities, and the changing nature of the CFO role.

Cultural and structural reform can help Japanese companies realize their full potential.

FCLTGlobal’s Sarah Keohane Williamson discusses the importance of resisting short-termism, rethinking investor relations, and reframing incentives.

Long waits between signing and close threaten value capture. A new generation of clean teams can safeguard information while ensuring successful integration.

Strong communications with long-term investors may be enough to attract them. Evidence of active resource allocation, increasing market share, and transformation will keep them.

Scenario-based valuation that accounts for multiple potential cycles can yield more accurate forecasts.