RGP CFO Survey Shows Growing Divide Between AI Ambition and AI Readiness
MWN-AI** Summary
RGP's latest study, "The AI Foundational Divide: From Ambition to Readiness," reveals a significant gap in the finance sector between aspirations for AI integration and actual readiness to implement these technologies. Despite 66% of CFOs anticipating substantial AI returns on investment (ROI) within two years, only 14% currently see meaningful benefits. The research, conducted with insights from 200 U.S. CFOs across various industries, highlights key barriers that hinder AI adoption, including unreliable data, outdated systems, insufficient governance frameworks, and skills shortages.
The report notes that data trust issues are paramount, with only 10% of financial executives fully trusting their enterprise data. Furthermore, a staggering 86% of CFOs attribute legacy systems as a major constraint on AI readiness, while 35% cite data trust as the leading obstacle to achieving AI ROI. Governance structures, although improving, still present challenges; 31% of CFOs report having either developing or informal governance frameworks.
As CFOs assume a central role in the integration of AI into their organizations, they face pressing challenges in ensuring their workforce possesses the necessary skills for effective implementation. Notably, 68% of CFOs identify skill gaps as critical hurdles, with diminished collaboration between CFOs and their HR counterparts evident in a quarter of surveyed organizations.
RGP emphasizes that to bridge the divide between AI ambition and execution, CFOs must modernize data architectures, reduce technical debt, and establish coherent governance structures. By adopting performance-driven metrics, CFOs can lead the way in transforming financial operations and unlocking the potential of AI. Ultimately, successful AI adoption requires a multifaceted approach that aligns strategy, governance, and talent development.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The RGP CFO Survey highlights a critical dichotomy within the finance sector regarding AI adoption: a pronounced ambition for AI capabilities juxtaposed with significant readiness challenges. While 66% of CFOs anticipate substantial ROI from AI within two years, only 14% have reported tangible benefits thus far. This contrast underscores the need for organizations to strengthen their foundational frameworks in data, governance, and workforce capabilities to effectively harness AI's potential.
Data issues represent a primary stumbling block, with 35% of CFOs identifying data trust as their top barrier to achieving AI ROI. This suggests an urgent need for investment in robust data architectures to support AI initiatives. Companies must prioritize modernizing their data systems, as reliance on outdated legacy technology hinders the ability to effectively utilize AI. Moreover, with 68% of CFOs citing skills gaps as a key challenge to AI success, organizations should enhance collaboration between CFOs and CHROs to ensure talent strategies are aligned with technological ambitions.
Governance frameworks also require attention; although 69% of CFOs report having advanced governance structures, one-third still operate under ad hoc methods. Establishing standardized governance protocols can facilitate smoother integration of AI into decision-making processes and mitigate associated risks.
As the market continues to evolve, it’s crucial for CFOs to adopt a proactive stance—modernizing data infrastructures, addressing workforce skill deficits, and establishing consolidated governance structures. Companies that successfully navigate these barriers will not only realize the ROI potential of AI but also position themselves favorably against competitors, particularly those in the mid-market segment. In essence, the journey from ambition to execution in AI demands a concerted, cross-functional effort, redefining the blueprint for future finance leadership.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Data, technical debt, governance, and skill gaps are among the biggest barriers to AI ROI according to RGP’s latest research
RGP® (Nasdaq: RGP), a global professional services firm, today released its latest flagship study, The AI Foundational Divide: From Ambition to Readiness , a comprehensive report examining the widening gap between soaring AI expectations and the operational readiness required to realize measurable value. The findings reveal a finance landscape that is racing toward an AI-powered future, yet constrained by fragile data foundations, legacy systems, slow-maturing governance, and widening workforce capability gaps.
The report surfaces a striking contradiction at the center of modern finance: although 66% of CFOs expect significant AI ROI within two years, only 14% report meaningful value today. Based on insights from 200 U.S. CFOs across the technology, healthcare, financial services, and CPG/retail industries, the study finds that optimism persists despite deep structural barriers, from data trust issues (only 10% fully trust enterprise data), to technical debt (86% say legacy systems limit AI readiness) and skills shortages that threaten to slow adoption.
“AI ambition is accelerating, but enterprise foundations have not kept pace,” said Scott Rottmann, President of Consulting Services at RGP. “CFOs are emerging as the orchestrators of enterprise transformation, but turning AI’s promise into performance requires strengthening the systems, data, and talent that make AI scale with confidence.”
Key insights uncovered in the report include:
CFOs have emerged as enterprise AI integrators across strategy and cross-functional change : Nearly half of CFOs (48%) say they are ultimately responsible for ensuring AI delivers measurable value – more than any other C-suite role. CFO influence is rapidly expanding across investment, risk, talent strategy, and digital transformation.
Data remains the single greatest inhibitor of AI success : More than one-third of CFOs (35%) cite data trust as their top barrier to AI ROI, yet investment in data foundations remains limited. This disconnect between recognition and resourcing increases the likelihood that AI initiatives will stall before they scale, undercutting long-term impact and slowing enterprise adoption.
Governance is emerging, but uneven : While 69% of CFOs report advanced or established AI risk governance frameworks, 31% still report developing or ad hoc/informal frameworks, leaving room for continued growth and maturity. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in operations, decision-making, and customer-facing workflows, organizations will need to continue establishing coordinated governance approaches to improve consistency, clarity, and risk awareness at scale.
Workforce readiness is falling behind AI ambition : More than two-thirds of CFOs (68%) cite skills gaps among the most significant challenges to achieving AI ROI, while CFO-CHRO collaboration has weakened for one in four organizations. This shift threatens the talent foundation required for AI transformation.
The performance gap between the largest enterprises and mid-market firms is widening : CFOs at $10B+ companies report stronger data foundations, more mature governance, faster AI adoption, and earlier and higher ROI, creating a competitive divide that smaller firms must close deliberately.
The Path Forward: Strengthen Foundations to Unlock AI ROI
The research outlines specific actions CFOs can take now to close the divide between vision and execution, including modernizing data architecture, reducing technical debt, establishing clear governance ownership, building cross-functional talent strategies, and shifting from cost-centric to performance-driven AI metrics such as forecast accuracy, decision velocity, and risk reduction.
“The message for 2026 is clear: CFOs who lead boldly, modernize intentionally, and build the cross-functional muscle for AI adoption will define the next decade of enterprise performance,” said Rottmann. “AI readiness is not just a technology mandate – it’s a new blueprint for finance leadership.”
ABOUT RGP
RGP (Nasdaq: RGP) is an award-winning global professional services firm with three decades of experience helping the world’s top organizations navigate change and seize opportunity. With three integrated offerings—On-Demand Talent, Consulting, and Outsourced Services—we provide CFOs and other C-suite leaders with the flexibility to solve today’s most pressing challenges on their terms, uniting strategy, execution, and talent across accounting and finance, digital transformation, data, and cloud, at a global scale. Our people-first approach continues to drive innovation across industries worldwide.
Based in Dallas, TX, with offices worldwide, we annually engage with over 1,600 clients around the world from 41 physical practice offices and multiple virtual offices. As of May 2025, RGP is proud to have served 88 percent of the Fortune 100 and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025 Best Companies to Work for) and Forbes (America’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2025, America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025, World’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2024).
The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the exchange’s highest tier by listing standards. To learn more about RGP, visit: http://www.rgp.com . (RGP-F)
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Investor Contact :
Jennifer Ryu, Chief Financial Officer
(US+) 1-714-430-6500
jennifer.ryu@rgp.com
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Financial Profiles
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FAQ**
How is Resources Connection Inc. RGP addressing the significant data trust issues highlighted in the report, considering only 10% of CFOs fully trust enterprise data?
What specific measures is Resources Connection Inc. RGP recommending to reduce technical debt, given that 86% of CFOs acknowledge legacy systems as a barrier to AI readiness?
In what ways can Resources Connection Inc. RGP assist organizations in bridging the workforce skill gaps that 68% of CFOs identify as a major challenge for achieving AI ROI?
How does Resources Connection Inc. RGP plan to help smaller firms close the competitive divide in AI adoption and governance, as reported by CFOs from $10B+ companies?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Resources Connection Inc. (NASDAQ: RGP).
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