Nearly Half of Swedish Mid-Sized Companies Yet to Adopt AI in Finance Despite Growing Interest

A recent report by Kleer reveals that almost 50% of mid-sized Swedish companies have not yet implemented AI tools within their finance departments, even though 80% of surveyed companies believe AI will become a standard feature in finance operations within the coming years. Pontus Björnsson, CEO of Kleer, attributes this slow adoption not to a lack of interest but rather to constraints on time and uncertainty about how to fully integrate AI into existing financial workflows.

Björnsson outlines a pragmatic five-step approach to help companies successfully introduce AI agents in finance functions. The first step is to map where time is lost in current finance processes to identify tasks that AI can assist with effectively. Next, companies should ensure foundational processes are standardized and that data is centralized to provide a solid base for AI integration. The third and fourth steps involve starting with a limited test area to mitigate risk and running a pilot program with human oversight to ensure AI performance meets expectations. Finally, organizations must plan for scaling AI solutions, assigning ownership to the workers responsible for the processes.

Emphasizing the importance of choosing the right technology partner, Björnsson highlights Kleer’s automated all-in-one finance system designed to support AI integration and enable real-time economic management. He envisions AI transforming finance departments from their traditional cyclical workload into a function focused on real-time data analysis and strategic initiatives by automating repetitive, routine tasks.

The promising outlook for AI adoption comes despite the fact that many companies remain cautious. Yet these practical steps provide a clear roadmap for companies looking to capitalize on AI’s efficiency and productivity benefits in their finance operations.