'AI is no longer a future concept, but an operational reality': New KPMG report claims firms are "racing" to deploy AI - but need to ensure they have the right security protections

Date:
Mon, 11 May 2026 10:25:00 +0000

Description:
Three in four companies are meeting or exceeding AI ROI expectations, but security needs a bigger emphasis for future longevity.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Nearly all companies plan to deploy or scale AI in finance over the next year and a half Many are already exceeding ROI expectations, but use cases need to be defined Data security
and privacy is still a big concern, cited by three in five New research from KPMG has claimed while AI is now at the full-scale deployment stage,
companies are now being urged to focus on security over AI implementation to ensure the best success going forward.

The findings come as nearly all (93%) US companies expect to deploy or scale AI in finance over the next 18 months, with one in every two planning more complex multi-agent AI systems. As for returns, KPMG found it's been a case
of 'so far, so good'. Around three-quarters (74%) have either met or exceeded their ROI expectations, and those experiencing slower-than-anticipated
returns aren't actually having problems with the capabilities of AI itself. Latest Videos From You may like New study claims firms are ready to spend big on AI, but are afraid to take the first step Only 31% of UK firms report positive returns on AI investments Experts warn UK firms want to keep
spending on AI - even without clear ROI AI strategies need to move into a
next stage The report explained that slow organizational adoption and change management are the biggest challenges, rather than the technology itself. A lack of clear, role-specific AI use cases (64%) and a lack of hands-on practice environments (61%) were cited as two key hurdles by the more than 1,000 senior finance leaders surveyed.

Looking forward, KPMG calls for more practical training opportunities and targeted upskilling tailored to roles and AI use cases. And as for those use cases, predictive decision-making insights (45%) is a major one for finance leaders as well as vibe coding, which is being piloted or used by 47% and evaluated by a further 26%.

"Leaders are harnessing sophisticated AI to create a finance function that is predictive instead of reactive," US and Global Audit Chief Digital Officer Thomas Mackenzie explained, discussing a "human-led, agent-operated" future.

That's not to say that AI doesn't come without its challenges, and many are still worried about data security and privacy (60%), AI model performance and reliability (56%) and regulatory and compliance issues (53%). Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get
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The solution for continued AI success and ROI is to raise the status of security in AI, in turn boosting confidence and reducing the risk of threats. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/ai-is-no-longer-a-future-concept-but-an-operatio nal-reality-new-kpmg-report-claims-firms-are-racing-to-deploy-ai-but-need-to-e nsure-they-have-the-right-security-protections


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