Page 67 - CMA Journal (Sep-Oct 2025)

TOP TECHNOLOGY TREND

T T T

From Automation to

Technology-Driven Autonomy

Pakistan’s regulated and industrial sectors are the next operational step
backbone of our economy, yet we remain dependent on autonomously, and
manual effort and human vigilance to compete in a Learning compounds
world that is rapidly shifting to machine intelligence. performance over time.
Global competitiveness depends on scaling decisions. This transforms static Salman Kasba
While policy reforms open the door, the only way processes into self- Founder and
Pakistan's industrial sector can win the global race is by learning systems that Managing Partner,
Kaster Consul ng
shifting from manual effort to machine intelligence at boost output without
scale, making this a once-in-a-generation mandate.
expanding the cost base, reduce operational risk,
From Automation to Autonomy maintain quality at scale, and keep the business moving
when humans are stretched. Research from Accenture
Enterprises have made progress in digitization. ERPs, shows companies with AI-led processes achieved
dashboards, workflows, and RPA laid essential roughly 2.4× greater productivity and 2.5× higher
foundations, but automation was never the finish line, it revenue growth compared with peers.
was Version 1 of efficiency. Automation helped us do the
same work faster, whereas Agentic AI helps us do the Autonomy is the bridge between local productivity and
work differently, i.e., systems that understand business global competitiveness, and Agentic AI transforms
goals, detect friction and risk in real time, act operations from being overseen to self-directed. This
autonomously, and continuously learn and self-improve. shift requires a new leadership model.
Technology that supported humans now extends Why CFOs Must Lead the Autonomy
human capability. Emerging economies do not win by Revolution
catching up, they win by skipping ahead. AI offers a
No leader sees the financial impact of inefficiency more
leapfrogging opportunity, and Pakistan can move
clearly than the CFO. They understand where cash leaks,
directly to intelligence-driven productivity.
where delays destroy value, where risk lies hidden, and
The first wave of AI delivered predictions, but the next how manual work scales faster than profit. Autonomy is
wave delivers decisions and execution through four core not a technology upgrade; it is a performance model for
capabilities. Perception processes real-time data, video, the business. Research from Gartner shows that 58% of
and documents, which feeds into Reasoning to finance functions were using AI in 2024, marking a
understand context and constraints. Action executes the significant leap toward autonomy in finance teams.
Figure 1: Current Levels of AI Use in Finance, 2023 vs 2024
Organizations with fully From 2023 To 2024
modernized, AI-led process 9% 16 Percentage of respondents 19% 2024 (n-121)
nearly doubled in a year No planned AI implementation 31% 2023 (n-130)
21%
AI implementation is planned
20%
Performance compared to peers
Developing AI pilots 32%
28%
3.3x 2.4x 2.5x Using AI in production 8% 20% 58% of finance
organizations are
using AI in 2024
6%
Scaling AI to a larger group o users
greater success at greater higher average 1%
scaling high-value improvements revenue growth Don’g know 2%
2%
gen AI use cases in productivity
n varies: Fiance leaders 0% 20% 40%
Source: Accentor Report How reinvention ready companies are driving growth and relevance with gen AI Source 2024 and 2023 Gartner AI in Finance Surve
ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Sep-Oct 2025 65