FinOps Survey Reveals AI Management and Skills as Key Priorities in Evolving Technology Landscape

The Evolution of FinOps: Insights from the 2026 Survey

The FinOps Foundation recently released the sixth iteration of its annual State of FinOps survey, highlighting significant shifts in how organizations are managing their technology investments. With a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and the overarching value derived from technology, the findings underscore a transformative period for the FinOps discipline.

Key Findings

More than 98% of the 1,192 participants reported that AI expenditures are now under their purview, a soaring increase from only 31% two years prior. This major shift indicates that FinOps is no longer confined to cloud cost management but has expanded to oversee a wider array of technology spend, including SaaS and data centers, establishing a trend toward comprehensive technology value management.

1. Broader Engagement:
FinOps teams are increasingly finding their place within the executive echelon of organizations, with 78% of teams reporting to C-level technology officers, a significant rise from the previous year. This shift has enhanced their influence over budgetary decisions related to technology and cloud services, showing that FinOps now plays an integral role in strategic decision-making.

2. Emphasis on AI and Value Management:
As businesses invest more into AI, there’s a discernible need for teams adept in AI management skills. The rising prominence of AI as a focus area reveals that organizations now seek to integrate AI-driven efficiencies and ROI directly into their financial strategies. Many FinOps teams are now being tasked to self-fund AI initiatives through efficiency savings, effectively tying technology investments to long-term strategic goals.

3. Shift Left Approach:
The concept of