6 ways AI is transforming accounts payable operations in 2025

AI is revolutionizing accounts payable operations with substantial impacts on efficiency, accuracy, and cost reduction. Forrester Research‘s latest report highlights six key areas where AI technologies are delivering significant value for financial operations in 2025, from transforming invoice processing to enhancing compliance management. These advancements represent a fundamental shift in how finance departments operate, offering unprecedented opportunities for organizations to optimize their AP functions.

1. Invoice Data Capture

• AI-driven solutions are outperforming traditional optical character recognition (OCR) technologies with significantly improved accuracy.
• Companies including Billerud and Adyen have achieved notable cost reductions by implementing AI for invoice data extraction and processing.
• These systems represent a significant upgrade from legacy OCR approaches, delivering both operational and financial benefits.

2. Invoice Matching

• Machine learning models and robotic process automation (RPA) are transforming invoice matching processes with enhanced capabilities for complex multiway matching scenarios.
• These AI technologies substantially reduce repetitive manual tasks in the reconciliation process.
• The result is greater efficiency and improved accuracy in matching invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents.

3. Reporting and Dashboarding

• Predictive analytics and generative AI are delivering real-time financial insights and visualization capabilities previously unavailable in AP operations.
• GameStop has leveraged these technologies to benchmark their AP workflows, resulting in measurable efficiency improvements.
• These tools provide finance leaders with deeper visibility into AP operations and potential optimization opportunities.

4. Fraud Management

• Machine learning and generative AI are increasingly deployed to identify noncompliant invoicing practices and detect suspicious activities.
• Solutions from providers like Coupa and Serrala are helping organizations reduce fraud-related costs while enhancing security.
• These systems can identify unusual patterns and anomalies that might indicate fraudulent activity before payments are processed.

5. Payment Management

• AI technologies analyze historical payment behaviors to identify early payment discount opportunities and optimize cash flow.
• Predictive and prescriptive analytics solutions from companies like Vic.ai and SoftCo are streamlining payment processes.
• These tools help finance teams maximize discount capture while maintaining optimal working capital management.

6. E-invoicing and Tax Compliance

• AI is simplifying compliance processes by automating tax code determination and eliminating repetitive compliance tasks.
• Leading providers like Coupa and Basware offer innovative AI-based compliance solutions that reduce error rates and audit risks.
• These systems adapt to changing regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions, reducing compliance burden on finance teams.