Finance Edition—A Practical Executive Briefing on AI for Financial Leadership

Opening remarks. Comments about how the day will run. Introduce today's speakers.

This session, led by Markus Egger, an experienced technologist, business strategist, Microsoft Regional Director, and Founder of the CODE Group, provides senior executives and finance leaders with clear insights into the current state of AI and its strategic implications for business.

We'll examine AI's rapid evolution, highlighting advancements such as generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and Microsoft's Copilot. Participants will learn how companies are strategically leveraging these technologies to automate complex processes, improve forecasting accuracy, and unlock competitive opportunities.

Using relatable, real-world scenarios, we'll separate AI realities from hype, addressing both the opportunities and practical challenges of implementation.

Attendees will gain actionable guidance on initiating AI efforts, avoiding common pitfalls, and positioning their organizations for meaningful, measurable business improvements through effective AI adoption.

This session, led by Anna Tiomina, provides CFOs and senior finance leaders with practical insights on leveraging AI to boost financial efficiency and strategic decision-making. We'll explore AI's real-world impact on key finance tasks, including financial forecasting, automated invoicing, transaction reconciliation, risk assessment, and compliance.

Participants will learn how leading organizations successfully integrate AI into finance, as well as common barriers such as governance challenges, organizational readiness, and stakeholder buy-in.

Using concrete examples from actual implementations, we'll demonstrate measurable outcomes and offer guidance on assessing AI readiness within finance teams. Attendees will leave equipped with clear next steps and actionable frameworks for confidently implementing AI solutions that deliver measurable financial improvements and long-term strategic advantage.

As the initial fascination with AI transitions into a demand for genuine, sustainable business value, this panel discussion promises a deep dive into the practical aspects of implementing AI in the enterprise environment. Guided by Laurabeth Baker, a panel of seasoned experts from the CODE Group—including its founder Markus Egger and leading executives—will explore the nuances of integrating AI into business systems to drive real-world outcomes.

This interactive session will address the critical questions surrounding AI deployment: How can we build systems that deliver not just technological advancements but true business value? What are the proven strategies, and what pitfalls should companies avoid? Panelists will share insights from their extensive experience in developing and managing AI solutions across various domains, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and how to pivot away from the AI hype towards creating impactful, efficient AI-driven applications.

Participants are encouraged to engage with the panel, pose questions, and discuss scenarios ahead of time, ensuring a rich, participant-focused dialogue. Join us to gain actionable insights and strategies from top AI leaders that you can immediately apply to your enterprise AI initiatives.