Artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact on the accounting professional

An intelligent professional once said: “I’d rather have real than artificial intelligence!”. Funny as this may sound at initial glance, the reality is that artificial intelligence, or AI as it is commonly referred to, is not only here to stay, but rapidly changing the way we do things as professionals. Computer brains may even overtake the intelligence of human beings, it is speculated, in the not-so-distant future. Are we, as a human race, creating our own downfall through redundance, or are the rapid developments in artificial intelligence something we, as accounting, finance, and business professionals, can leverage from to improve the services we render to our employers and clients? Furthermore, the individuals driving artificial intelligence are very positive about the impact that AI can have on the world. What can we do to embrace artificial intelligence and to make sure that we remain ahead of the development curve. No-one wants to be left redundant, and like it or not, the question is posed to you: are you ready to compete with a robot to remain the professional you want to be? In joining us for this discussion, you will be developing the following professional competencies:

• Main competency group: Enabling and future competencies

• Sub-competency group: Digital acumen

• Specific competency/ies: Computational thinking

• Main competency group: Technical competencies

• Sub-competency group: Stewardship of capitals: business process and risk management

• Specific competency/ies: Automation management; New developments and protocols knowledge