Navigating the AI Revolution in Finance with Matt Konwiser

In this episode of CFO IQ, host Andrew Zezas sits down with Matt Konwiser, Brand Technical Leader and Field CTO at IBM, to unpack how CFOs can capitalize on artificial intelligence amid its "hectic" state of constant innovation. Konwiser breaks down AI's practical applications in financial forecasting and planning, explaining how combining traditional machine learning with newer generative models can fill data gaps with synthetic information while maintaining necessary transparency. The conversation tackles critical concerns around risk management, cyber fraud detection, and regulatory compliance, with Konwiser emphasizing that effective AI implementation requires significant initial investment but delivers substantial efficiency gains when properly deployed. Throughout the discussion, Konwiser stresses that AI should augment rather than replace human decision-making, offering CFOs a tool that requires human oversight to validate outputs and prevent potentially costly errors. Listeners gain valuable insights into approaching AI implementation with realistic expectations - understanding that like any major technology adoption, the path to success requires proper preparation, clear use cases, and a thoughtful balance between automation and human expertise.