An interesting debate has arisen among accounting professionals: Can AI become an accounting expert?
AI has been around for several years but exploded into the national consciousness in November of 2023 when Microsoft unveiled ChatGPT. This generative AI platform uses large language models and machine learning to produce natural-sounding text quickly and efficiently.
While many hailed its advent as an exciting time in computer history, others were quick to curb their enthusiasm for GenAI. There are many good uses for it, for example, to summarize transcripts of calls or to create eye-catching headlines. However, AI makes mistakes—plenty of them. We do not believe that it is ready to take the place of an accountant. Here’s why AI makes a terrible accountant.
AI Makes (Sometimes Big) Mistakes
One of the most blatant errors made by ChatGPT was its insistence to a questioner that “no country in Africa begins with the letter K.” When the questioner pointed out that Kenya begins with a K, the response from ChatGPT was a veritable word salad of gibberish. It lacked logic. It lacked discrimination. Worse, the answer was wrong.
Accountants found out the same thing, as have many other professionals. AI’s answers can be wrong. It can draw erroneous conclusions or even “hallucinate.”
AI models return answers that are heavily dependent on how the input question is worded. Questions that are too complex can return poor answers. Ambiguity can also confuse the models and return incorrect responses.
AI also lacks the ability to distinguish source materials as good or bad. Instead, it may view all documents as equal—documents published by the Journal of Accountancy could be viewed with the same gravitas as documents published by Joe Blogger (no offense if that’s your name), who doesn’t have a CPA. The response might be fine, or it might be trained by Joe Blogger’s lack of in-depth knowledge of corporate finance.
Lastly, the models can hallucinate or return gibberish. No one knows why this occurs or even how often it does, but sometimes, question-and-answer sessions with an AI model devolve into peculiarly odd conversations.
AI Lacks Firsthand Experience
Consider how much knowledge and firsthand experience the average accountant possesses. Each human being is unique, and their background and special area of expertise make them well-suited for certain tasks. A nonprofit accountant has a very different background from someone who works for a large accounting firm; each person brings to their task a unique viewpoint or lens through which they see the problems and solutions at hand.
AI models have no such discrimination. They can produce information based on the inputs of their models and the ability to draw conclusions from their databases with newer GenAI models. But they cannot reach out beyond their databases to seek information, have flashes of inspiration, or remember something that can help with an immediate problem. All of these are human attributes, and an AI model cannot replace a human accountant’s flash of inspiration or memory of a similar problem encountered years ago.
Client Confidentiality
Another area that may be problematic is client confidentiality. AI models ingest and retain whatever data is fed into them. Therefore, if you input proprietary client information—say, asking the AI model to summarize the transcript of a client call—it will retain the information. It may use that information to inform a response to someone else. And, while it probably won’t mention your client by name, you certainly do not want confidential information floating around cyberspace forever. Never share anything confidential with an AI model.
What Can AI Do For You?
It seems like everyone is experimenting with AI, and that’s fine. Treat it like an experiment, but do not rely on it for accurate answers to accounting questions. AI may be evolving, but it has a long way to go before taking your place in the corner office.
Welter Consulting
Welter Consulting bridges people and technology together for effective solutions for nonprofit organizations. We offer software and services that can help you with your accounting needs. Please contact us for more information.
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