The Verification Tax: Why Black-Box AI Systems Fail Modern Finance Productivity

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. AI promises faster decisions, but trust remains the biggest challenge for businesses adopting intelligent systems. Today, we explore how explainable AI is transforming finance, accounting, and HR operations with transparency and control. Joining us is Manav Thiara, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Platforms at Sage. Leading Sage’s AI, data, and platform engineering efforts, Manav is building the future of trusted AI experiences that help millions of small and mid-sized businesses operate smarter. Key Highlights The AI Verification Tax: Why businesses spend extra time validating AI-generated decisions. Glass Box AI: How explainable systems build trust in financial operations. Human-Controlled AI: Keeping people at the center of automated workflows. Trusted AI Selection: What businesses should evaluate before choosing AI solutions. AI Transformation Roadmap: The first steps toward transparent and reliable AI adoption. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.