AI pushes CFOs to spend more time on investor relations

Institutional investors’ use of AI tools is pushing CFOs to spend more time on investor relations, according to new research from Gartner.

Over 35% of CFO respondents in a Gartner survey “reported an increase in the volume, frequency, and time sensitivity of investor communications and engagements in 2025 when compared to 2024.” The business and technology insights company surveyed 146 CFOs between October and December 2025.

CFOs reported spending more time on key IR activities, including preparing for earnings calls (43%), engaging in media and social media appearances (38%), and upping the frequency of meetings with investors and analysts (36%).

“It is going to become increasingly difficult for organizations to control their narrative and influence investors with manual methods alone,” Dymah Paige, director analyst of research in Gartner’s finance practice, said in a statement. “To keep pace, CFOs should be considering private AI solutions available on the market today that can help them to spend more of their time and effort on higher impact priorities.”

The Gartner findings are interesting to digest alongside another recent survey, from AI consulting firm Section, which polled 5,000 white-collar workers across the US, Canada, and the UK. The survey showed a growing gap between how senior executives and workers view AI efficiency. For example, according to the survey, C-suite leaders are 53% more likely than the rest of the organization to believe their company has a clear AI strategy and 31% more likely to believe AI adoption is widespread in their company.

While two-thirds of nonmanagement employees cited saving under two hours a week (or no time) with AI, more than 40% of executives said AI eliminated eight hours of their work per week, according to the Wall Street Journal, which covered the survey.