CFOs Prepare for AI by Modernizing Payments

As we close the books on the first half of this decade, the payments landscape has transformed in ways few could have fully anticipated.

Entering the 2020s, the push to digitize payments was clear. The office of the CFO was focused on modernizing payables and receivables, seeking solutions to streamline processes for buyers and suppliers and optimize working capital. At Boost, we anticipated this shift and invested early in technology to help clients migrate from analog systems like checks and wires to digital platforms, especially commercial cards. This preparation allowed us to meet the growing demand for digital payments and support clients as they moved from legacy to modern systems.

We also recognized a rising appetite for data. As companies became more sophisticated, their need for actionable insights and flexible data delivery increased. Our platform was built to capture and deliver data in the formats and protocols stakeholders required, ensuring buyers and suppliers could access information when needed. Our commitment to interoperability, plugging into clients’ existing systems rather than requiring resource-intensive implementations, proved to be a strategic advantage and enabled us to expedite onboarding and deliver value quickly.

Yet, even the best-laid plans were tested by the unexpected. The COVID-19 pandemic was a seismic event that no one could have predicted. While its societal impact was profound, from a business perspective it accelerated the shift to digital payments at a pace we hadn’t imagined. Companies were forced to abandon legacy processes almost overnight, driving a surge in digital transaction volumes and creating new opportunities for those prepared to respond. Our philosophy of rapid, low-friction integration allowed us to help clients adapt quickly and reinforced the importance of flexibility in times of crisis.

Perhaps the most profound “under” was the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence. While AI had been in development for years, the launch of ChatGPT and subsequent advancements made AI accessible to non-technologists in ways that were previously unimaginable. Suddenly, business users could leverage AI to automate processes, reduce errors and even generate code. These capabilities are fundamentally reshaping how technology is built and deployed. The pandemic’s spotlight on automation and efficiency primed the market for this rapid adoption, and we’ve seen firsthand how AI is expanding the aperture of what’s possible in payments and beyond.

Looking back, the early signals that mattered most were the growing demand for digital solutions, the hunger for actionable data, and the need for platforms that could adapt to clients’ unique environments. The unexpected events of the past five years reinforced the value of flexibility, interoperability and a relentless focus on client needs.

As we look to 2026 and beyond, the convergence of digital payments, data-driven decision-making and AI-powered automation will continue to define our industry. The leaders who thrive will be those who not only anticipate change but build organizations capable of pivoting when the unexpected arrives. At Boost, these lessons have rewired our priorities and will guide our strategy for the next chapter of payments innovation.