AI as AmplifierAmplifier
AI multiplies what you already are — good or chaotic.
The AI as Amplifier principle — surfaced in Google's DORA research and framed by Adam Bender at Google I/O 2026 — states that AI is directionally neutral: it accelerates and scales existing processes, culture, and quality.
Teams with clear processes, well-tested outputs, and solid data governance get dramatically more productive. Teams without those foundations generate confusion, technical debt, and low-quality output faster.
This makes AI adoption a diagnostic before it's a deployment. Ask: "If we 10× our output tomorrow, would we amplify good work — or amplify problems?"
Applied to FP&A: solid data models and review processes → AI amplifies accurate analysis. Fragmented spreadsheets and ad-hoc workflows → AI generates 10× more fragmented spreadsheets.
The DORA State of DevOps report found the same pattern in software: elite performers improved further with AI; low performers saw marginal gains or regression.
In plain terms
A loudspeaker amplifies whatever you put in. A great singer sounds better; a bad signal becomes louder noise. The speaker has no opinion on which.