Technology
EY Survey: AI Drives Transformation of Tax and Finance Talent Strategy
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.
Equinix CFO Keith Taylor Announces Retirement in 2026, Ending a 27-Year Tenure
Equinix announced on Wednesday via a press release and securities filing that Chief Financial Officer Keith Taylor will retire in 2026, concluding a 27-year career at the digital infrastructure company, including a 20-year tenure as CFO. The company has begun searching for a successor, and Taylor will remain as a strategic advisor until March 1, 2027, following his retirement.
GitLab appoints former Salesforce executive Jessica Ross as new Chief Financial Officer
GitLab announced the appointment of Jessica Ross as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 15, alongside the release of its fiscal 2026 third-quarter results. Ross brings over 25 years of financial and operational leadership experience, having previously worked at companies including Salesforce and Frontdoor.
AWS and Google Cloud join forces to simplify multi-cloud deployment
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.
Black Friday online sales growth outpaces physical stores, e-commerce sales up over 10% year-over-year
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 plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs by fiscal 2028, citing AI
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.
Hasbro CFO on AI Applications, Creative Protection, and Play-Doh Barbie Collaboration
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.
Kroger admits its robotic automation strategy was too aggressive
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.
KPMG Survey: American Workers' Concerns About AI-Related Job Loss Nearly Double in One Year
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.
Four Core Insights from the MIT 2025 CFO Summit: AI Applications, Narrative Skills, Operational Integration, and Black Swan Preparedness
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.