CFO leverages agentic AI to transform finance and daily routine

In the rapidly evolving landscape of finance, Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Marie Myers, is harnessing the transformative power of agentic AI to reshape her organization and enhance her daily life. Agentic AI refers to intelligent systems capable of performing tasks autonomously while adapting to new information and environments. Myers, an experienced executive with a rich background in finance and technology, sees this innovation as a game-changer for the finance sector, similar to how robotic process automation (RPA) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems revolutionized operations in the past. This article explores how Myers is integrating AI into both HPE’s financial practices and her personal routine, highlighting its significant impact on productivity and efficiency.

Agentic AI: A New Era for Finance

Agentic AI is poised to revolutionize financial operations by enabling CFOs like Marie Myers to automate complex processes that traditionally required extensive manual effort. With years of experience building automation bots at previous firms, including UiPath, Myers recognizes agentic AI as a critical advancement that can unlock new efficiencies in finance. She describes it as “the biggest unlock for finance since RPA and ERPs,” emphasizing its potential to streamline operations and enhance decision-making.

Upon joining HPE in January 2024 after a successful tenure at HP Inc., where she held multiple leadership roles, including CFO and chief transformation officer, Myers made it her mission to integrate AI into both HPE’s financial organization and client services. Under her leadership, HPE’s finance team is piloting Deloitte’s Zora AI platform—an advanced tool designed specifically for financial reporting. This initiative signifies a strategic shift towards leveraging technology for improved operational reporting.

Enhancing Productivity through AI Integration

The initial phase of implementing Zora focuses on operational reporting set to launch this summer. Future enhancements will expand its capabilities into predictive forecasting and incorporate broader data sets for analysis. The primary metric tracked during this transition is productivity—a crucial factor in evaluating the success of these technological advancements.

To facilitate this integration effectively, Myers’ chief of staff has initiated comprehensive AI training programs targeting thousands of employees at HPE. She acknowledges that successful implementation goes beyond technology; it requires robust change management strategies alongside high standards for data quality and governance. As she points out, “Data quality and governance are probably the biggest inhibitors to getting started.”

The Quest for Talent in an Evolving Landscape

Myers emphasizes the importance of recruiting talent that possesses not only finance acumen but also familiarity with AI technologies. The ideal candidates should combine skills in accounting with an understanding of modern digital tools—an essential requirement as companies redefine entry-level job profiles within financial sectors. This evolution raises questions about what future roles will look like as organizations adapt to new technological landscapes.

The Personal Impact of Agentic AI

The influence of agentic AI extends beyond professional boundaries into Myers’ daily life. After completing her graduate studies, she found herself spending countless hours analyzing spreadsheets late into the night—a practice she now reflects upon with surprise given her extensive education in business analytics. Today, however, she utilizes various AI agents throughout her daily routine.

“Every aspect of my day has been impacted by AI—from my personal life to my professional life,” explains Myers. For instance, during commutes, she interacts with an AI assistant that helps organize her agenda while also contemplating challenges ahead for the day. Rather than raising questions during meetings or board discussions directly—which can often disrupt flow—Myers uses these tools discreetly to clarify terms or take notes efficiently.

Aiding Family Life with Technology

The benefits extend into her home life too; whether searching for gift ideas or assisting her children with queries they pose—Myers employs these technologies frequently enough that it has drawn playful remarks from them asking if she could stop relying on them so much at home! Her light-hearted acknowledgment underscores how deeply integrated these tools have become across different facets of life.

A Transformative Tool for Efficiency

Ultimately, Marie Myers expresses gratitude towards how agentic AI has streamlined processes within both professional responsibilities as well as personal tasks: “I use it for absolutely everything; it’s changed my life.” By embracing such innovations wholeheartedly from operational frameworks down through everyday activities—Hewlett Packard Enterprise positions itself not just as a tech provider but also as an industry leader shaping tomorrow’s financial landscapes through intelligent automation.

A Bright Future Ahead

The application of agentic AI within Hewlett Packard Enterprise illustrates a forward-thinking approach towards modernization in finance led by proactive leaders like Marie Myers who are willing to explore possibilities beyond traditional methods—embracing innovative solutions while ensuring their teams are adequately equipped through training initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce capabilities.

This narrative serves not only as inspiration but also highlights how adapting quickly can provide companies significant competitive advantages amid rapid technological advancement—a vital lesson applicable across various sectors seeking growth today!