Hype vs. Substance: How OneStream Brings Innovation via True AI in CPM

In today’s corporate performance management (CPM) landscape, the noise around artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has reached a fever pitch. Vendors announce new “capabilities” almost weekly — from AI forecasting to generative and agentic AI — but how many of these announcements translate into usable, value-generating solutions? At OneStream, we believe that innovation is not about being first to market with flashy headlines. Our AI is built for finance -designed to deliver robust, trustworthy solutions that solve real-world challenges and earn the confidence of our customers.

In other words, we’re all about the substance and not the hype to offer true AI in corporate performance management.

The AI Announcement Arms Race

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge of AI-related claims in the CPM space. Vendors tout “ML-powered forecasting” or “generative AI capabilities” as generally available. The reality? These features often amount to nothing more than enhanced statistical methods or early-stage prototypes dressed in AI terminology.

Forecasting offers a good example. Many vendors market time-series forecasting as ML or AI when, in fact, they’re offering statistical techniques like linear regression or autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) applied to single variables. While seemingly quick and appealing in a simple interface, these models are inherently limited — they ignore external factors and relationships that impact business performance.

By contrast, true AI in CPM— such as those in OneStream’s SensibleAI Forecast — incorporate both internal and external data (macroeconomic indicators, supply chain disruptions, weather events, etc.). The models then use that data to train and continuously refine predictions. Going far beyond basic statistical pattern recognition, true ML models deliver meaningful business insights.

Generative AI and Agents: Beyond Promises

More recently, announcements about generative AI and agentic AI have flooded the market. Some competitors claim to have generally available generative AI or agents. However, these features often amount to rudimentary text generation or unproven concepts in pilot stages. In reality, it’s easy to create impressive demonstrations of generative and agentic AI. But deploying production-grade solutions that deliver reliable, scalable value in complex enterprise environments? That’s extremely difficult.

OneStream takes a different path. For instance, we’ve already embedded generative AI in several of our solutions — from Narrative Generation powered by SensibleAI™ Forecast to our Commentary Summarizer and AI Data Tools, both of which are powered by SensibleAI Studio. And as for agentic AI, we’re not rushing untested technology into customers’ hands. Instead, our SensibleAI Agents are in private preview. The AI agents are refined with input from a controlled cohort of customers and honed through real-world use within our own finance and customer service teams.

A Culture of Disciplined Innovation

At OneStream, we’ve embraced AI thoughtfully for more than a decade. Our founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Tom Shea introduced our first ML solution eight years ago. For it, he followed the same principle that built OneStream from day one: “Go slow to go fast.” Following this principle means we don’t release capabilities until they’re solid, reliable, and proven to deliver value in the most demanding scenarios.

This disciplined approach is embedded in our DNA. With our very first customer over a decade ago, OneStream focused not on scaling fast but on getting that initial implementation right. Today, that same philosophy drives our SensibleAI portfolio.

We began with SensibleAI Forecast to address one of the toughest problems in finance: time-series forecasting. Then, we invested deeply to ensure it’s the most advanced, accurate, efficient, and transparent ML forecasting solution on the market. Only once that foundation was established did we extend into broader AI and ML applications, such as SensibleAI Studio and SensibleAI Agents.

True Innovation Is Built, Not Announced

In a crowded market where competitors chase headlines, OneStream’s customers can count on substance over hype. Our solutions are never rushed to market. Instead, they’re battle-tested, refined through real-world feedback, and designed to drive business value — not just make the next press release.

When evaluating AI capabilities, organizations should look past flashy announcements and ask the hard questions to assess whether the solution has true AI in CPM:

• Does the solution incorporate external variables and adapt to changing conditions?
• Is AI truly embedded in the platform or bolted on as an afterthought?
• Can AI solutions be trusted to deliver accurate, transparent, and explainable results?

At OneStream, we’re committed to answering these questions with confidence because real innovation doesn’t need to shout — it delivers results.

Learn More

Ready to separate hype from reality and invest in AI that drives genuine business value? Explore our SensibleAI portfolio, and see how OneStream's AI built for finance delivers innovation that drives the business forward. Visit the OneStream AI Hub.