Technology
Beamery CEO: CFOs Must Embrace a 'Cross-Functional' Role, Coordinating Talent and Technology Decisions
As generative AI rapidly permeates corporate operations, CFOs not only need to evaluate the value of technology investments but should also proactively integrate into cross-functional decision-making. Beamery CEO Sultan Saidov emphasizes that financial leaders must collaborate with CIOs, CHROs, and others, examine organizational capabilities from the perspective of 'human-machine task allocation,' and confront talent risks. This article outlines his core viewpoints and industry data.
SaaS audit costs rise, tech stack visibility declines
Flexera's annual IT asset management report shows that enterprise SaaS audit costs continue to rise while tech stack visibility declines. Nearly half of surveyed enterprises have spent over $1 million on software audits in the past three years, and only 43% have full tech stack transparency. As cloud services and AI drive consumption-based pricing, management complexity increases, prompting FinOps and ITAM teams to seek collaborative responses.
AI layoffs may be underestimated: Challenger report reveals hidden details behind technology updates
According to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S. employers cut 20,000 jobs in the first half of 2025 due to technological factors such as automation, but only 75 were explicitly attributed to AI. Analysts believe that many companies may classify AI-related layoffs as "technology updates," causing the data to be underestimated.
SEC pivots to settle SolarWinds case, new leadership adjusts enforcement strategy
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reached an agreement in principle with SolarWinds and its Chief Information Security Officer Timothy Brown to resolve litigation stemming from a Russian-backed hack of the company's systems. The judge has approved a stay of case deadlines, and both parties must submit settlement documents or provide updates by September 12. The case originated from an SEC lawsuit filed in October 2023, alleging that the company misled investors. Analysts believe the settlement terms will reveal whether the SEC is abandoning certain legal theories.
Measuring AI value is quite challenging, how should CFOs respond?
Global AI spending is expected to exceed $337 billion by 2025, but fewer than half of AI projects reviewed by finance teams are considered to generate actual value. This article analyzes three reasons why AI value is difficult to quantify and suggests that CFOs adopt a more dynamic evaluation framework.
Programmable Payments: The Next Frontier in Financial Automation Evolution
Based on a global survey jointly released with Mastercard in 2024, this article analyzes the impact of payment delays on corporate cash flow and delves into how emerging technologies such as programmable payments, smart contracts, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, and virtual cards drive financial automation. It also introduces SAP's solutions in the field of advanced payment management, helping enterprises achieve centralized payment processing, in-house banking functions, and seamless integration.
U.S. Senate rejects proposal to pause state AI legislation
The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping tax and spending bill on Tuesday but rejected a proposal to pause state AI regulations for 10 years. The provision had passed in the House version but was removed by the Senate in a 99-to-1 vote, with only Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina opposing. Earlier, a five-year compromise proposed by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz also failed to reach consensus.
Republican Senator Blackburn rejects compromise on AI regulation
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn said Monday evening that the revised Senate proposal to pause state-level AI regulation remains "unacceptable," dealing a significant blow to the efforts of the bill's lead sponsor, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to rally support. Blackburn stated in a declaration that the provision could allow big tech companies to continue exploiting children, creators, and conservatives. Earlier, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had praised the updated language as a "pragmatic compromise." The proposal, attached as an amendment to a sweeping tax and spending bill, now faces Democratic opposition and procedural challenges.
Washington embraces cryptocurrency, corporate treasurers need to rethink strategies
In 2025, U.S. regulators gradually lifted restrictions on cryptocurrency activities, and the stablecoin market grew rapidly. Corporate treasurers can now legally use digital assets to enhance returns, optimize payments, and explore new revenue streams. This article provides a practical framework to help corporate financial leaders enter this space safely.
EY: Technology Evolution and Data Demands Highlight the Modern Controller Role
As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence accelerate the evolution of finance functions, the controller's role is shifting from a traditional data steward to a strategic leader. Kristi Chapman of EY Americas said in an interview with CFO Dive that modern controllers need cross-departmental data integration capabilities and must become trusted advisors to the CFO. Meanwhile, technology adoption and talent demands are also changing, with EY's 2024 survey showing that 89% of controllers have adopted AI.