# Board survey: 61% of US execs use LLMs for strategic decisions

Digest AI · Enterprise & Industry · published 2026-09-16T08:48:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/board-survey-61-of-us-execs-use-llms-for-strategic-decisions

## Summary

A new report by software vendor Board reveals that large language models have become a primary source of strategic input for U.S. business leaders. Surveying 300 C-suite executives at companies with over $100 million in revenue, the study found that 61% cite AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini as key influences on their decision-making processes. This reliance surpasses traditional sources such as industry peers, technology vendors, and external consultants.

The adoption is particularly strong among finance leaders, with 69% of CFOs using LLMs for strategic guidance, compared to 58% of COOs and 56% of CIOs. Board CFO Gordon Pothier noted that even conservative finance professionals are embracing the technology due to its overwhelming industry momentum. However, the data highlights a significant trust gap; while 48% of CFOs follow AI recommendations that conflict with their own judgment, a broader PEX report indicates that only 28% of finance leaders are comfortable letting AI make routine decisions independently.

Most executives maintain final authority, with 54% stating they consider conflicting AI advice but make the final call themselves. The primary barrier to deeper integration remains trust in the accuracy of AI outputs, cited by 36% of respondents. This suggests that while AI is now central to executive strategy, it functions as a powerful advisory tool rather than an autonomous decision-maker.

## Key points

- 61% of U.S. C-suite executives cite LLMs as top sources for strategic decision-making, surpassing human peers.
- CFOs show the highest reliance at 69%, with 48% following AI advice that conflicts with their own judgment.
- Only 28% of finance leaders trust AI to make routine decisions independently, citing accuracy concerns as the top barrier.

## Why it matters

This shift signals that AI has moved from experimental tool to core strategic infrastructure in enterprise leadership. The high adoption rate among conservative CFOs indicates broad market validation, while the lingering trust gap highlights the need for robust verification processes in high-stakes business environments.

## Sources

1. [Business execs seize on AI as top tool for decision-making](https://cfodive.com/news/ai-tops-list-resources-influencing-execs-decisions/830596) (cfodive.com, 2026-09-16)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Board survey: 61% of US execs use LLMs for strategic decisions", 16 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/board-survey-61-of-us-execs-use-llms-for-strategic-decisions

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