Reflecting on AI's rise in accounting, looking to what comes next

"You cannot avoid AI" — but you can and should continue to experiment with it. That's one key message from consultant and keynote speaker Pascal Finette, who returned to the JofA podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has grown and how the profession is dealing with rapid changes and uncertainty. The conversation revisits topics Finette discussed in 2021 and 2022, and it looks ahead to the Digital CPA Conference, Dec. 7–10 in National Harbor, Md. Resources Early 2022 JofA episode (recorded in December 2021). Early 2023 JofA episode (recorded in December 2022). CPA.com's AI landing page. What you'll learn from this episode: The accelerated pace of AI adoption between December 2023 and December 2024. The role of curiosity and experimentation in embracing new technology. The best-of-both-worlds approach some companies are taking as it relates to hybrid work. An explanation of the World Uncertainty Index and how it is now higher than pandemic-era levels. What to expect from the Digital CPA Conference.