Is AI a help or a potential threat to our work?

The topic was discussed by Márton Kalavszky, Director of PWC (an international audit, tax and business advisory firm), Dr. Imre Polyák, Associate Professor at Corvinus University of Budapest and Dr. Károly Szóka, Associate Professor at the University of Sopron. Due to their work, they are all frequently involved in artificial intelligence and auditing, and therefore they are related to both topics of the presentation.

The discussion covered: 

• the everyday use of AI and its integration into work,
• the areas most affected by AI in accounting,
• the problems that AI can solve,
• the jobs that AI may replace in the future,
• the safe use of AI, confidentiality and trust
• and the skills that AI can teach us. 

Participants could also take part in several interactive exercises. First, they had to complete a quiz where they had to recognise AI technologies from pictures, followed by a presentation written by ChatGPT. Later, they could share their own experiences of AI and ask questions to the speakers. 

AI has the potential to revolutionise many areas, including accounting, with its speed, analytical power and personalisation, bringing major benefits to everyday work. But it is important to remember that AI is still in its infancy and can sometimes make mistakes. It is therefore important to look at the results it generates with a critical eye before putting full trust in it. 

The use of AI is particularly exciting but also challenging in the field of auditing, where confidentiality obligations and data security can pose serious obstacles. Large audit firms can address this by creating their own learning databases, while smaller players can best exploit the potential of AI in risk analysis and environmental scanning. The use of AI in education also poses significant challenges. The overuse of automated systems in the learning process can lead to a loss of creativity and critical thinking in students, but it can also be integrated into education in a number of creative ways. 

The main conclusion of the presentations during the Accounting Club was that we should not close ourselves off from the use of technology. AI is becoming an increasingly dominant part of our lives, so it is worth keeping an open mind and recognising the areas where it can really add value. Whether it’s auditing, accounting or even education, we can make them much more effective in the future if we can work with technology. 

Source: KGO/Accounting Department