Why should CPAs understand ChatGPT?

In the spring, two technology-focused accounting educators wrote an article about ChatGPT’s ability to answer hypothetical client questions. Now, they’re joining the JofA podcast to look into the future of generative AI.

Mfon Akpan, CGMA, DBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Methodist University, and Scott Dell, CPA, DBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Francis Marion University, explain why CPAs and other professionals can be left behind professionally if they don’t spend time learning about tools such as ChatGPT.

They talk about productivity gains, the competitive divide that could develop, and how, in the short term, more training is needed to fully harness generative AI.

Akpan and Dell also note that although the power of generative AI tools is exciting, these tools are far from perfect. In particular, accuracy remains a concern.

Editor’s note: The interview was recorded in August.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• How Akpan and Dell got to know each other.
• A forecast of how generative AI will look in 2024.
• Some of the other tools competing with ChatGPT.
• Akpan’s “aha moment” when giving a recent presentation.
• Why Dell said — twice — “the sky’s the limit” with AI tools.