How to present AI ROI to a sceptical CFO

CFO scepticism is a useful filter. What is usually missing is not conviction but an economic model that separates cost savings, revenue upside, avoided risk and the total cost of running the system.

Four metrics that hold up

• Hours released per process, valued at the team's real loaded cost.
• Revenue effect: conversion, retention or sales-cycle speed.
• Avoided risk: documented errors, rework, fines or incidents.
• Total cost: models, infrastructure, human oversight and maintenance.

Present a range rather than a single number, and set the checkpoint at 90 days. A business case with visible assumptions earns more credibility than an optimistic projection with no traceability.