Will AI Replace the CFO? Unpacking the Unthinkable
Arbianto Setiawan
CFO at Maersk JV Company | 20+ Yrs in Strategic Financial Management & Business Partnership | Driving Financial Excellence in Global Entities | Aspiring to Spearhead Financial Leadership in Major Multinationals
Lately, I stumbled upon a fascinating poll on LinkedIn that got me thinking. It posed a provocative question: Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace the CFO? Astonishingly, 64% of respondents believed it to be impossible. But is it, really?
Reflecting on my own life, I've witnessed firsthand how technological advancements have reshaped the job market. As a kid, the streets were filled with carriages (delman) and rickshaws (becak). Fast forward to today, and it's a rarity to spot one, thanks to the affordability of cars and motorcycles, alongside improved public transportation. This evolution didn't just phase out carriages and rickshaws; it redefined the livelihoods of those who manned them.
Remember the endless queues at banks? BCA, one of Indonesia's leading consumer banks, was humorously nicknamed "Bank Celalu Antri" (Bank Always Queues). Now, with the rise of mobile banking, those queues have dwindled, rendering many traditional banking roles obsolete.
And it's not just banking. Remember paying cash at toll booths and parking lots? Those days are gone, replaced by the simplicity of card payments, making the once-familiar sight of cashiers in these roles a thing of the past.
So, back to our burning question: Will AI replace the CFO? While the future is uncertain, dismissing the possibility outright might be shortsighted. In my lifetime alone, I've seen technology render certain jobs obsolete, while simultaneously creating new opportunities. The key takeaway? Stay adaptable, keep learning, and ensure your skills remain relevant in an ever-evolving landscape.
#AI #CFO #TechnologyImpact #CareerAdaptability #FutureOfWork