#280 What Every CFO Should Know Before Implementing AI, Michael Pytel, Technology Leader & Director, VASS

Episode notes

.entry-img img{ display:none !important; } .single .hentry .entry-img{ display:none !important; } In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby, together with Michael Pytel , Technology Leader & Director at VASS , underscores why AI is now a board-level issue for finance leaders: decisions made today about platforms, data, and governance will shape an organization’s risk profile and competitive position for years to come. They frame AI not as a shiny add‑on but as an infrastructure-and-controls question that sits squarely in the CFO’s remit: data sovereignty, privacy, security, and ROI. Michael draws on his deep background in ERP and large‑enterprise technology to give CFOs a practical roadmap for implementing AI safely and effectively. He explains how vendors such as SAP are approaching “sovereign AI” to keep sensitive financial data within the organization, why mid‑market businesses should consider anchoring around the Microsoft ecosystem, and how to structure permissions so AI behaves like a fully controlled team member rather than a black box.