Episode 295: Leaders Think AI Will Save Them, But They Are Losing Control Without Human Skills - Mariam Halfhide - Treasury Leaders (Former Corporate Treasury 101) | Lyssna här

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, Host Philip Costa Hibberd, Founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Mariam (Petrosyan) Halfhide, Principal Consultant, Data & AI Strategy at Xebia, to explore how AI strategy, data governance, and organisational readiness are reshaping the future of finance and treasury.

Mariam shares practical insights on why many organisations struggle to move beyond AI experimentation, the importance of building strong data foundations, and how finance leaders can bridge the gap between technology and business decision-making. She also discusses the growing role of AI in forecasting, operational efficiency, and strategic planning, while highlighting why human judgment and communication remain essential.

Whether you're a treasury professional, finance leader, or simply interested in AI transformation, this episode offers valuable lessons on how businesses can adopt AI more effectively and create long-term value.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

AI Strategy & Business Alignment: Why successful AI adoption starts with understanding business problems, not just implementing technology.
Data Foundations Matter: How poor data quality and fragmented systems limit the effectiveness of AI initiatives.
The Human Side of AI: Why communication, collaboration, and organisational readiness are critical for successful transformation.
AI in Finance & Treasury: How AI can support forecasting, analytics, automation, and decision-making across finance functions.
From Experimentation to Execution: Why many companies remain stuck in pilot phases and what is needed to scale AI successfully.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

[00:00] – Introduction

[01:40] – Mariam’s Background in Data & AI Strategy

[04:15] – Why AI Adoption Often Fails in Organisations

[08:22] – The Importance of Data Quality and Governance

[12:35] – Aligning AI with Business Objectives

[17:10] – AI Use Cases in Finance and Treasury

[22:48] – Moving Beyond AI Experimentation

[27:55] – Organisational Readiness and Change Management

[32:20] – Human Judgment vs AI Decision-Making

[36:45] – The Future of AI in Treasury and Finance

[40:10] – Final Advice for Finance Leaders