Technology
Facing the exponential growth of financial complexity brought by enterprise expansion, traditional headcount-increasing strategies are no longer sustainable. AI technology automates repetitive tasks such as expense categorization, intelligent approval routing, and real-time reconciliation, enabling lean finance teams to handle larger business volumes with fewer people, achieving dual improvements in efficiency and strategic value.
EY's 2025 Tax and Finance Operations Survey, released on November 19, shows that 89% of surveyed executives plan to upskill their existing teams over the next two years to cope with economic volatility, geopolitical pressures, and changes driven by AI adoption. The survey found that companies are shifting from relying solely on accounting skills to integrating technology and data capabilities, while placing greater emphasis on 'intangible' skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. However, insufficient data management maturity and talent gaps remain major challenges.
AWS and Google Cloud announced a joint multi-cloud collaboration initiative on Sunday, designed to make it easier for customers to connect the two cloud platforms. The collaboration is currently in preview and is planned to expand to Microsoft Azure by 2026. This move is seen as a response by cloud giants to the multi-cloud trend and may drive the establishment of industry interoperability standards.
According to preliminary Mastercard SpendingPulse data, Black Friday e-commerce retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 10.4% year-over-year, while physical store sales grew 1.7%. Early RetailNext data shows store foot traffic on Black Friday and Saturday decreased 5.3% year-over-year. The apparel category performed notably, with online growth of 6.1%.
HP issued a statement on Tuesday, planning to cut 4,000 to 6,000 global employees by the end of fiscal 2028 to advance its AI strategy and improve operational efficiency. This move is expected to result in approximately $1 billion in cost savings, but the company will also incur restructuring-related expenses of about $650 million.
At the MIT Sloan 2025 CFO Summit, Hasbro CFO and COO Gina Goetter stated that AI helps financial executives quickly integrate large amounts of information, such as bank briefings. She revealed that the company is advancing an 'AI-first' strategy, but the creative process is protected. Demand forecasting is now almost entirely AI-driven. The company has also partnered with Disney, Netflix, and others, and Play-Doh Barbie is now available.
American supermarket chain Kroger announced on November 18 the closure of three robotic fulfillment centers operated with Ocado and adjusted its e-commerce strategy, expecting a $400 million profit improvement but incurring approximately $2.6 billion in charges. This move marks Kroger's reflection on its automation investments and reflects that growth in U.S. fresh grocery e-commerce has fallen short of expectations.
A KPMG survey released Monday found that 52% of American workers worry about losing their jobs due to AI, a proportion nearly double that of last year. The report calls on business leaders to deepen their commitment to helping workers adapt to an AI-driven future. At the same time, research by Economist Impact found that CFOs are divided on AI's impact on the workforce, while a study by the St. Louis Fed shows a significant correlation between AI adoption and rising unemployment rates. In Congress, senators have proposed legislation requiring disclosure of AI-related layoffs.
At the 2025 CFO Summit held at MIT Sloan School of Management, financial executives and scholars from companies including FedEx, Hasbro, Arm, and Tapestry explored topics such as the boundaries of AI applications, enhancing financial leaders' narrative skills, the extension of CFO responsibilities into operations, and the normalization of black swan events. The summit conveyed a clear message: financial leaders must redefine their roles amid technological change and uncertainty, guiding their organizations with agility and foresight.
Finance leaders have long relied on disparate systems to manage spend, but this approach carries hidden costs and operational friction. Technology now supports end-to-end automation of the spend lifecycle, with unified HR and finance platforms centered on employee records, integrating payroll and non-payroll spend, and deeply integrating with ERPs such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks. This can shorten monthly close cycles and foster a more accountable spending culture.