Future Finance AI Adoption Divide in Finance for Leaders to Bridge the Gap Between People and Systems
In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss the AI landscape and how CFOs and finance leaders should approach AI in 2026. Reflecting on the developments of 2025, they explore how AI adoption is progressing at the individual and company levels and discuss the surprises and challenges they've encountered in the AI space.
Paul and Glenn discuss how individuals have become far more comfortable using AI tools in their own work, while companies as a whole have moved much more slowly. Topics include ongoing data quality problems, hesitation around governance and security, and why many organizations still struggle to integrate AI into core systems and workflows.
In this episode, you will discover:
- The current state of AI adoption by individuals and companies.
- Surprising shifts in AI companies like OpenAI and Microsoft in 2025.
- The growing role of specialized AI models and their potential impact on industries like finance.
- Predictions for the future of AI in 2026, including advancements in LLMs and robotics.
Glenn and Paul discussed the evolving AI landscape and its impact on finance, offering insights into key developments and predictions for 2026. They highlighted the challenges, growth, and opportunities AI presents for finance leaders and businesses.
Follow Glenn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii
Follow Paul:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy
Follow QFlow.AI:
Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg
Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.
Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.
In Today’s Episode:
[00:15] - Reflections on AI in 2025
[05:07] - Paul’s Surprises on AI’s Progress
[11:05] - OpenAI’s Consumer Focus
[13:23] - Predictions for Specialized Models
[14:51] - AI and Robotics
[17:20] - Small vs Large Models
[18:28] - Closing Thoughts on AI in Finance