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Finance Leaders Are Ready to Increase AI, but Most Aren’t Ready to Control ItNew independent study commissioned by Basware finds that 76% plan to increase AI investment, but only 39% are ready to scale it

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3 months ago

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Key findings

76% plan to increase AI investment67% of finance teams already run AI in AP, but only 39% have built the operating model to execute at scale68% need ROI before any further finance technology spend55% expect AI investments in AP to pay back within six to 24 months46% have only struck an effective balance between governance and innovation65% say major or urgent improvement is needed to adjust to new financial regulations64% prioritize stability and compliance over raw innovation when choosing AI

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For years, finance leaders have invested in the potential of AI. Now, they’re requiring proof it can scale under real operating conditions. According to the findings of From Experimentation to Execution: Governed Autonomy for AI in Accounts Payable, a new Forrester Consulting Opportunity Snapshot commissioned by Basware, the global leader in Invoice Lifecycle Management (ILM), the criteria for AI success in accounts payable have shifted.

Three quarters (76%) of enterprise finance and AP decision-makers plan to increase AI investment over the next 12 to 24 months, but 68% say they’ll require demonstrable ROI before committing more funds. The gap isn’t ambition, it’s execution. 67% already use AI for targeted AP use cases, but only 39% operate AI centers of excellence at scale.

Control is now the deciding factor. 64% prioritize stability and compliance over raw innovation when choosing AI, and less than half (46%) say they’ve struck an effective balance between governance and innovation. Success is no longer just about what AI can do. It’s about whether teams can control it.

Investment is Rising, as are Expectations

Finance leaders are rejecting the promise of instant AI returns.

According to the Forrester study, only 7% of finance leaders expect AI investments in AP to pay back in under 6 months; 20% expect payback within 6 to 12 months; and 35% expect value to take 13 to 24 months to materialize.

The demand for proof reflects where AI is now operating. Finance leaders are looking for value that holds up in live operations, where process complexity exposes weak business cases. Meanwhile, two thirds (65%) need major or urgent improvement to meet new financial regulations, such as Nacha’s 2026 fraud monitoring rules now in effect in the US, and 63% point to growing demand for data-backed decision-making.

AI investment is already concentrating in AP areas where the link to control is easiest to demonstrate.

“Finance is a strong place to start with AI because the value can be measured,” said Donna Wilczek, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Basware. “The challenge is getting from ambition to execution in a way the business can trust. Once outcomes are proven, the remit can grow.”

Moving From Automation to Trusted Execution

The question of trust is now the central tension. An AI agent resolving an invoice exception or recommending an approval needs permission to act, and a reliable record of what happened. With 68% of finance leaders requiring demonstrable ROI before committing further technology spend, AP has become an early test of whether AI can move from automation to trusted execution.

“Governed AI is no longer aspirational, it’s a board-level requirement,” said Wilczek. “Every AI decision in accounts payable needs to be logged, traceable, and auditable from the moment it’s made, not reconstructed after the fact.”

Finance must set clear guardrails to guide these decisions. Basware’s Governed Autonomy framework lets finance teams define how far AI can act. Human review stays in the workflow wherever judgment is required. AI’s authority expands only as outcomes are proven. The framework sets three levels of AI authority, from Advisor to Collaborator to Operator, so autonomy grows only as each level earns trust.

“Success in the next phase of AP won’t be achieved by the teams using the most AI, but by the teams that govern it best,” Wilczek added.

On August 17, Forrester Principal Analyst Meng Liu, will join Basware’s Anssi Ruokonen, Head of Data and AI, for a live webinar to walk through From Experimentation to Execution: Governed Autonomy for AI in Accounts Payable and discuss what’s driving the gap and how to close it. Click here to register for the event.”

About the study

This Opportunity Snapshot was commissioned by Basware. Forrester Consulting supplemented this research with custom survey questions asked of 231 decision-makers responsible for finance/AP technology across the UK, US, France, and Germany. The custom survey began and was completed in March 2026.

About Basware 

Basware is how the world’s best finance teams gain complete control of every invoice, every time. Our Intelligent Invoice Lifecycle Management Platform ensures end-to-end efficiency, compliance and control for all invoice transactions. Powered by the world’s most sophisticated invoice-centric AI, trained on over 2.5 billion invoices, Basware’s Intelligent Automation drives real ROI by transforming finance operations. We serve 6,500+ customers globally and are trusted by industry leaders including DHL, Heineken and Sony. Fueled by more than 40 years of specialized expertise with $10+ trillion in total spend handled, we are pioneering the next era of finance. With Basware, now it all just happens.

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SOURCE Basware

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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4 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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5 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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