We’re investing in AI: here’s how it creates real value for our customers

Our starting point is simple: AI should not be a separate layer or an experiment running alongside the business. It should be built into the places where the work actually happens.

AI is used as an integrated part of automation in core business and compliance workflows. In the ONESOURCE platform, data and workflows are connected so that information can be validated and analysed in real time, from transaction through
to reporting.

The focus is on areas where complexity is high and where manual work has traditionally been difficult to scale: large transaction volumes, multiple formats, many countries and constantly changing regulations.

The starting point for our AI investments is not the technology itself, but the problems our customers deal with every day.

Many companies still spend significant time managing exceptions, interpreting invoices in different formats and ensuring that data is accurate before it can be used in reporting and tax processes. It is time-consuming, costly and associated with risk.

This is where AI can make a real difference. Through intelligent data interpretation, automated classification and continuous verification, the need for manual checks is reduced. Exceptions can be identified earlier in the process, before they become more resource-intensive to resolve.

For users, AI is not about advanced algorithms. It is about work simply flowing better.

Invoices can be processed more quickly, whether they follow a standardised format or require more interpretation. The result is shorter lead times, more consistent data quality and less administration for finance teams. Manual work is reduced, freeing up time for analysis, follow-up and dialogue with the wider business.

The move towards real-time reporting and mandatory e-invoicing continues to accelerate, country by country. EU initiatives such as ViDA clearly show that requirements for digital reporting, transparency and closer controls will continue to increase, particularly for businesses operating internationally.

Here, AI plays an important role in reducing both risk and manual work. By continuously checking transaction data against current regulatory requirements, exceptions can be detected early, before they lead to reporting errors or
compliance issues.

Instead of working reactively, after something has already gone wrong, businesses can take a more proactive and preventative approach. This creates confidence for both finance teams and leadership, while making it easier to meet authority requirements in a more structured way.

Looking a few years ahead, we believe AI will play an increasingly important role in how businesses manage e-invoicing and compliance. Automation will become more self-learning, more accurate and more integrated into the
business processes.

More decisions that today require manual judgement will be supported – or fully handled – by intelligent systems. That means fewer interruptions, fewer exceptions and a more connected journey from business transaction to reporting
and analysis.

For businesses, this does not mean less control, but better control. Higher data quality and greater visibility create the conditions for more informed decisions and a more strategic role for finance and compliance teams.

Our view of AI is straightforward: technology should empower people, not replace them. By taking care of the repetitive and complex, AI can free up time, reduce risk, and improve quality in the processes that matter most to the business.

For our customers, AI is about solving tangible everyday challenges. Less manual work, better control and more confident compliance make it easier to focus on what actually drives the business forward.

That is where our investments in AI deliver the greatest value.

Want to learn more about how e-invoicing, tax, and compliance are connected through AI and automation? Explore the ONESOURCE platform.