**London**: Workday has launched its Agent System of Record, optimising AI agents within corporate structures. CFO Zane Rowe highlights the benefits for finance teams, amid a mixed public sentiment towards AI’s role in enhancing productivity and collaboration in the workplace.
Tech company Workday has recently expanded its use of artificial intelligence (AI) within its operations, spotlighting the growing integration of AI agents—autonomous AI-powered entities capable of executing tasks and enhancing workflow. In an interview with Fortune, Zane Rowe, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Workday, discussed the launch of the company’s new Agent System of Record, designed to manage numerous AI agents for business applications. This initiative has generated significant interest among customers, as it demonstrates the potential for increased efficiency within corporate structures.
Rowe emphasised the evolving role of AI within the workplace, suggesting that AI agents are becoming integral members of company teams. “We see a lot of opportunity for people to be working alongside agents,” he said. An illustrative example Rowe provided was within the finance department, specifically mentioning how an AI agent could be tasked with analysing extensive amounts of contracts to identify potential discounts upon vendor renewals and improving vendor relationships. Additionally, the AI’s capabilities extend to ensuring payroll accuracy by making data more accessible, as well as performing internal audits prior to external audits.
Workday, classified as a Fortune 500 company, recently celebrated a positive financial performance with its fourth-quarter earnings report. Announced on February 25, the report revealed total revenues of $2.211 billion for the quarter, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year, with subscription revenues rising 16% year over year. Rowe attributed this growth to sustained demand for financial products and the rising interest in Workday’s AI offerings.
Public sentiment towards the role of AI in the workplace remains varied, as highlighted by a recent Pew Research Center survey. While there is hesitance among many workers, 40% of those who have utilised AI chatbots expressed that these tools have notably improved their productivity. Rowe noted that Workday aims to foster continual learning opportunities for employees to enhance their ability to collaborate with AI, stating, “we’ve got our own tailored work streams, educational, peer teaching.”
In discussing the future skill requirements for finance professionals, Rowe underscored the importance of adaptability and eagerness to engage with new technologies alongside conventional finance acumen. Collaborative skills are also essential, recognising that finance teams must work across various departments.
In additional reports, Amy Weaver, the outgoing CFO of Salesforce, has been appointed as CEO of Direct Relief, with her tenure commencing in May. Meanwhile, Matt Hutcheson has been promoted to CFO of Service One Credit Union, having been with the company since 2010. Hutcheson’s role will encompass comprehensive financial management responsibilities within the credit union.
Furthermore, a report by leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has highlighted the escalating demand for experienced CFOs in software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, particularly those supported by private equity. The report reveals a shift, noting that recruitment of external CFOs in public SaaS firms has surged to 73% from previous years.
Lastly, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addressed the implications of recent policy changes introduced by the Trump administration during a speech at the University of Chicago’s Monetary Policy Forum. Powell commented on the need to analyse the overall impact of these changes on economic policy, indicating high levels of uncertainty around their outcomes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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