Research shows: Every $1 invested in AI yields $1.36 in return
A global survey commissioned by Basware and conducted by Financial Times Longitude shows that the return on investment in AI within fintech is as high as 136%, meaning every $1 invested saves over $1.36 within three years. The survey covered 400 global CFOs and found that 82% of heavy AI investors saw revenue growth, and 53% saw gross profit improvement. Basware also launched InvoiceAI and two AI agent products, disclosing its data foundation of processing over $10.1 trillion in business spending over 40 years.
AI investment ROI is significant: every $1 invested yields $1.36 in return
Charlotte, NC —A global survey shows that companies in the fintech sector have achieved a 136% return on investment (ROI) in artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, for every $1 million invested, more than $1.36 million in costs are saved over three years.
Amid economic turmoil caused by tariffs and global trade disruptions, AI is being directly linked to corporate financial performance. With the global AI market projected to surge to $4.8 trillionby 2033, this trend is only set to expand in the foreseeable future.
However, most companies still struggle to prove the actual returns from AI. New research argues that these proven returns are critical to economic growth.
The survey found that 82% of companies investing heavily in AI achieved revenue growth, and 53% saw improved gross profits, while those investing less did not reach the same levels.
Survey Background and Key Findings
These conclusions come from Basware's "From AI to ROI" report. The report, conducted by independent research firm Financial Times Longitude, surveyed 400 global CFOs.
AI Reality Check: Cost Efficiency Takes Top Priority
The survey shows that cost efficiency ranks as the top priority for every CFO, with 32% of respondents viewing it as their biggest transformation goal. Finance teams are under pressure to do more with less, and cash flow issues persist. Manual processes in enterprises create bottlenecks, increase errors, and consume resources.
In contrast, companies investing in AI are able to tackle their biggest challenges—data accuracy, fraud detection, and process delays. 75% of surveyed companies say AI enables employees to focus on strategic activities rather than repetitive manual work.
Jason Kurtz, CEO of Basware, commented:"In our conversations with customers during our world tour, we found that some finance leaders are under the greatest pressure in 40 years. Prioritizing investment in AI areas that deliver significant ROI is crucial to gaining approval from CFOs and boards. It's not just about saving money—it's about funding accelerated growth."
AI Is No Longer Optional, but a Necessity
The 136% ROI achieved by successful companies proves that AI delivers real results when correctly applied to specific business problems. To address the challenges facing finance teams, Basware is launching InvoiceAI. InvoiceAI brings AI into Basware software across the entire invoice lifecycle, helping accounts payable (AP) teams maximize the value of technology.
Basware's InvoiceAI roadmap includes 16 new products in development. The first two products launched include:
- AP Business Agent—an invoice summarization tool powered by generative AI. It converts invoice numbers into text, helping AP teams place statistical analysis into business context, identify patterns that humans might miss, and provide AI-generated invoice processing recommendations instantly within approval workflows.
- AP Data Agent—an Insights tool that allows users to ask questions about invoices. Using natural language processing, users receive clear invoice-related answers and generate reports, along with recommendations for improving AP processes and optimizing working capital management.
"InvoiceAI is not just two new products—it's our framework for bringing AI advances directly into the invoice lifecycle, continuously evolving as technology progresses,"added Jason Kurtz。. "By staying ahead of the next AI breakthrough, we help customers maintain complete control over every invoice, every time."
40 Years of Leadership in Invoice Lifecycle Management
Basware is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its invoice lifecycle management business. Over these four decades, Basware has processed over $10.1 trillion in corporate spending—a figure exceeding the combined economic output of the UK, Japan, and Australia.
InvoiceAI is built on real-world data, trained on over 2.3 billion invoices, designed to deliver ROI at scale for finance teams.
About Basware
Basware helps the world's top finance teams achieve complete control over every invoice. Its intelligent invoice lifecycle management platform ensures end-to-end efficiency, compliance, and control across all invoice transactions. Powered by the world's most mature invoice-centric AI—trained on over 2 billion invoices—Basware's intelligent automation delivers real ROI by transforming financial operations. Basware serves over 6,500 customers globally and is trusted by industry leaders such as DHL, Heineken, and Sony. With 40 years of expertise and over $10 trillion in total processed spend, Basware is pioneering a new era in finance. Choose Basware, and everything happens naturally.™
