The Adam Shilton Podcast

Listen to Dave Hartley, a technologist turned CPA, discuss navigating the AI revolution and the challenges of change management. He explores the generational gap in technology adoption, the impact of AI on the workforce, and the importance of governance. Find out how to balance innovation with security and accuracy in the age of rapid technological change.

Mike Manalac, an illustrator and accounting manager at Google, shares his unique approach to integrating visuals into the finance world. He discusses how drawing can enhance collaboration and problem-solving, transforming traditional practices. The conversation dives into the future of work amidst hybrid environments, highlighting the power of technology and creativity. Mike also offers valuable insights from his book "No Flux Given" and advice for aspiring accountants, showcasing the evolving role of creativity in a tech-driven industry.

Join Microsoft MVP Mark Proctor as he discusses the resurgence of VBA with AI, Unix philosophy for scalable automation, and the power of Power Query in data transformation. Gain valuable insights to streamline processes in finance and technology.

Renowned Microsoft MVP, Danielle Stein Fairhurst, shares insights on financial modeling, emphasizing the distinction between models and reality. Topics include common modeling mistakes, dangers of AI reliance, importance of visuals, and managing model data effectively.

In the ever-evolving world of AI chat tools, finding the right solution can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we present a comprehensive 6-step framework to help you navigate the sea of options. From budget constraints to security protocols, internet access needs, file management capabilities, data analysis requirements, and bot-building aspirations, we've got you covered. We dive deep into the offerings of industry giants like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and Mistral, dissecting their free and paid AI chat tools. But the burning question remains: Is ChatGPT still the best? Join us as we explore the pros and cons of each tool, providing expert insights and pro tips to guide your decision-making process. Stay ahead of the curve and make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs. - (00:01:32) - Step 1: Budget considerations for AI chat tools - (00:02:17) - Step 2: Security protocols and data protection - (00:03:36) - Step 3: Internet access capabilities of AI chat tools - (00:05:38) - Step 4: File management and multi-modal capabilities - (00:06:50) - Step 5: Data analysis and visualization capabilities - (00:07:52) - Step 6: Bot-building and customization options - (00:09:13) - Example use case: CFO reviewing contracts - (00:10:06) - Example use case: Controller analyzing spend - (00:10:27) - Example use case: Finance business partner meetings - (00:11:22) - Bonus free AI chat tool recommendations - (00:13:24) - Determining if ChatGPT is still the best option For more goodies, head over to www.techforfinance.com

Howard Katzenberg, Founder and CEO of Glean AI, shares insights on building financial visibility, empowering employees to make better spending decisions, and understanding unit economics. Topics include marketing to different buyer personas, negotiating with vendors, generative AI, automating accounts payable, benchmarking supplier pricing, onboarding customers, and leveraging AI technology for finance.

In this episode of "It's Not About the Numbers," hosts Chris and Mike, along with special co-host Adam Shilton, a trailblazer in AI finance, dive deep into the role of technology in enhancing finance team efficiency, regardless of their size or budget. The discussion spans the value of benchmarking tech use in finance, the impact of automation and advanced tools, and personal anecdotes from the hosts' lives, reflecting on changes and the pace of technological adoption. The episode uniquely blends professional insights with personal stories, emphasizing the importance of technology in finance without losing sight of the human elements. ------SHOW NOTES------ Subscribe to 'It's not all about the numbers' - https://open.spotify.com/show/4znaA5D1A3eXXxXd5PTaV1 ------CHAPTERS------ (00:01:48) - Sharing what's happening in AI news (00:03:09) - Adam detailing his background (00:07:26) - Recapping busy weeks and AI developments (00:08:41) - Comparing AI models Gemini and ChatGPT (00:12:28) - Explaining Microsoft's Copilot AI offering (00:17:15) - Adam explaining his fear of advanced AI (00:21:38) - Tracing Adam's early interest in technology (00:25:41) - Visualizing Adam's work as an AI producer (00:28:03) - Asking how Adam developed communication skills (00:31:46) - Recalling a pivotal public speaking experience (00:34:37) - Answering a question on benchmarking tech maturity (00:42:32) - Sharing good and bad data (00:49:55) - Providing links to connect with Adam P.S - Don’t forget to head over to www.techforfinance.com and sign up to Framework Friday for 1 actionable tech framework you can use to stay ahead of the game.

Exploring a 3-step framework for deploying Python in finance, focusing on libraries, applications, and workflows. Pro tips include using AI prompts for library suggestions and online platforms like Jupyter notebooks. Discussion on practical applications beyond algorithmic trading and the power of integrating Python with tools like Zapier.

Stephanie Mertz, Co-founder and CTO of Eisen, discusses leveraging AI tools, moving beyond Excel in finance, automation platforms, prompt engineering in AI, and the future of generative AI. She emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge and building resilient systems to level up technical skills.

In this replay of the GrowCFO show, host Kevin Appleby talks with returning guest Adam Shilton about how finance teams can use AI tools like ChatGPT. They discuss the different categories of AI tools - personal productivity enhancers, data/analytics, and enhancements to existing software. Adam outlines examples in each category, like using AI assistants for meeting notes and summaries. They also talk about the importance of simplifying and standardising processes before automation. Looking ahead, they predict increased autonomy of AI tools in 2024. Rather than just assisting, AI may be able to work towards defined outcomes with less ongoing prompting. Adam and Kevin agree that learning to frame effective prompts is an essential skill for getting the most out of AI. ------SHOW NOTES------- Check out the GrowCFO Show - https://www.growcfo.net/growcfo-show/ ------CHAPTERS------ Here are the chapters for the podcast transcript: (00:00:00) - Introduction (00:01:06) - Catching up since previous podcast (00:03:08) - Using AI tools like Otter and Fathom (00:05:09) - Explaining ChatGPT and how finance can use it (00:10:17) - Personal productivity uses for AI assistants (00:12:16) - Using AI for data analytics (00:13:22) - AI enhancements to existing software (00:14:21) - Reviewing key AI categories and applications (00:16:17) - Using AI to automate podcast production (00:18:22) - Importance of process optimization before automation (00:19:29) - Scheduling focus time with AI calendar tools (00:22:10) - AI meeting notes enable active listening (00:24:32) - Predicting increased AI autonomy in 2024 (00:26:00) - Challenges of prompting AI tools effectively (00:27:52) - AI may be able to work towards defined outcomes (00:29:45) - Limitations of existing autonomous AI tools (00:31:08) - Using specific AI bots for different tasks (00:32:28) - AI still needs clear instructions and outcomes (00:35:49) - Microsoft Copilot and other upcoming AI tools (00:38:00) - Potential costs and benefits of Microsoft Copilot (00:41:25) - Importance of process improvement before AI automation (00:43:03) - Real-world examples of process optimization (00:45:43) - AI image generation tools (00:47:22) - Framing effective questions and prompts (00:48:13) - Conclusion Check out the newsletter - https://newsletter.techforfinance.com/