The Biggest Risk Isn’t AI – It’s Missing the Risk

This episode explores how professionals can manage theimpact of emerging technologies, particularly AI and automation. A clear message emerges: navigating rapid change requires a return to basics and to the fundamental principles that underpin trust and the credibility of theprofession. Jeanne Viljoen is joined by Danielle Supkis Cheek, a globalleader in cloud-enabled audit, financial reporting, and data analytics solutions. Together, they reflect on how, while technology is transforming how work is performed, the underlying ethical principles remain unchanged, offeringa stable lens through which professionals can reframe problems and manage the pressures these technologies place on judgment, risk management, and competence.Takeways - The shift from optimizing for efficiency to prioritizingquality, with efficiency as a byproduct - The importance of understanding and identifying risks- Rethinking professional competence in a world where noindividual can master all relevant knowledge- The role of human oversight in technology-enabled workflows, and how it should be applied based on risk - The need for strong governance and process design to enableresponsible innovation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ethics in Accountancy01:48 Danielle’s Journey into AI, Analytics, and Assurance04:26 The Impact of Technology on Accounting07:07 Concerns and Misconceptions about AI and Automation11:59 Ethical Risks in Emerging Technologies14:22 Professional Competence and Due Care in the Age of AI19:17 Human Oversight in AI: What “Human in the Loop” ReallyMeans25:10 Navigating Automation Bias and Process Design30:04 Balancing Innovation and Ethics34:49 Adapting Ethical Standards for Emerging Technologies38:18 Recognizing Bias and Expanding Decision-MakingPerspectives40:57 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways⁠#DecodingEthics⁠ ⁠#AccountingEthics