Beyond automation: What AI really means for finance teams? A Conversation with Janis Steinmann & Sören Labrenz

In this episode of Finance in Flow, recorded live from Lucanet World 2025 in Berlin, host Janis Steinmann, Head of XBRL at Lucanet, speaks with Sören Labrenz, the company’s new Head of Product AI, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping finance. They discuss the rapid leap from GPT-4o to reasoning models like GPT-4.1, the rise of AI agents, and how these tools automate repetitive tasks to free up finance teams for higher-value work. The conversation covers emerging technologies, such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP), key challenges including infrastructure limitations and the need for human oversight, and why trust, transparency, and data security are essential under regulations like the GDPR. Looking ahead, Sören envisions a future where AI agents are integral members of finance teams, making AI adoption not just an opportunity but a necessity for staying competitive.About the guest:Sören Labrenz is the new Head of Product AI at Lucanet. Sören brings both technical and strategic leadership, guiding their planning solution and Copilot development. His progression through consulting roles at Lucanet and his strong academic background in business and HRM underpin his understanding of both product innovation and customer-facing implementation.Key Quotes“AI is there to replace workload, not workforce. A month-end close without stress — that would be truly revolutionary.” – Soren Labrenz“Even if AI stopped developing today, we still have five to ten years of catching up to do with what we already have — and they don’t stop.” – Janis Steinmann“It’s not a question of if you’ll use AI in finance — it’s how quickly you can integrate it.” – Soren LabrenzTime Stamps[00:00] Live from Lucanet World 2025 in Berlin[00:31] Sören Labrenz’s new role as Head of Product AI[01:19] Rapid evolution of AI models: GPT-4.0 to GPT-4.1[02:28] AI’s impact on Lucanet products and setting priorities[03:42] Automating finance tasks with the Expert Integra Agent[06:52] AI’s exponential development: hype or necessity?[09:02] Infrastructure limits and Model Context Protocol (MCP)[12:52] From copilots to AI agents in finance workflows[15:45] Keeping humans in the loop for accountability[18:58] User feedback and strict data privacy measures[20:31] AI limitations and workarounds for large reports[24:47] Vision for the Lucanet CFO platform in 10 years[26:42] Educating and building trust with customers[28:26] Advice to finance teams: start small and integrate AILinksConnect with Janis on LinkedInConnect with Sören on LinkedInLearn more about Lucanet Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.