“I think the more important thing is just for businesses and professionals to be experimenting and learning and just staying abreast of what’s happening across the space.” – Damon Hauenstein, Chief Financial Officer at Weel

“AI is a tool that extends us. I don’t think that, in the short term, I’m going to be replaced by an AI. But I think an AI can make me much better and much more productive.” – James Carey Director at Prime Partners


Today I am sharing a panel discussion I moderated on behalf of Weel at the Australian CFO Summit. The panellists were:

  • James Carey Director at Prime Partners
  • Asa Cox Founder & CEO at Arcanum.ai
  • Ben Yi Proud Data Nerd
  • Damon Hauenstein Chief Financial Officer at Weel

AI is such a hot topic at the moment! It was great to have a conversation with some experts, identify some practical applications and dispel some myths. 

Some of the highlights from this conversation were : 

  • AI is here to stay in finance.
  • Productivity gains are at the fingertips of everyone.
  • AI is accessible to all.
  • Why businesses should be open to implementing AI.
  • Why businesses need to embrace AI.
  • There are huge opportunities and productivity gains for finance teams.
  • How to use AI.
  • What is generative AI and how is it different from AI?
  • ChatGPT is not a search engine x 3!
  • The app store moment for AI.
  • Risk, rewards, and privacy concerns of putting client data in ChatGPT.
  • Will ChatGPT and AI improve their understanding of the Australian tax system?
  • What are some key considerations for selecting your AI tool, and how can businesses measure success?
  • From a measurement perspective, it’s all about productivity gains. Huge productivity gains.
  • Experiment and don’t overthink.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ai-in-finance-operations-weel/id908333807

https://open.spotify.com/episode/20PzH50jWpl7fW7RPwNHoA

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbG91ZHN0b3JpZXMubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M/episode/YjMwNjU0MDItMzZlYi00NzQwLThlZjktZjU5NmZjOTU1OWY2

Summary of the panel discussion:

  • Introducing the panel discussion.
    • AI is here to stay in Finance.
    • James Carey and Damon Hauenstein on generative AI.
  • What’s happening in the Australian and New Zealand finance departments today
    • Ben introduces himself and shares his expertise in AI.
    • AI in finance operations.
    • Productivity gains at the fingertips of everyone.
    • AI is accessible to all.
  • Why should businesses be open to implementing AI and how are they shaping financial operations?
    • Why businesses should be open to implementing AI.
    • Why businesses need to embrace AI.
    • Huge opportunities for productivity gains for finance teams.
    • Opportunities and challenges of using AI.
  • What is AI and how can you use it?
    • AI is a tool for people to play with.
    • Microsoft power automation integration with Xero.
    • Anxiety about how to best use PowerPoint.
    • Practical use cases for PowerPoint today.
  • How do you know if the information you’re getting is useful?
    • Writing emails and emails to customers.
    • The rise in American spelling.
  • What is generative AI and how is it different from AI?
    • What generative ai is and how it is different from AI?
    • Challenges and opportunities of AI in ChatGPT.
  • It’s not a search engine.
    • The app store moment for AI.
    • Putting comparative data in ChatGPT.
    • Risks and rewards of using the tool.
    • Improving understanding of the Australian tax system.
  • What are some key considerations for selecting your AI tool and how can businesses measure the success?
    • Processing a US tax return in ChatGPT.
    • Using everyday language as an interface.
    • Key considerations for selecting an AI tool.
    • How to measure the success of using AI in finance.
  • From a measurement perspective, it’s all about productivity.
    • Time saved by AI from a measurement perspective.
    • What to take away from today’s session.
    • Experiment and don’t overthink.
  • How can people get in contact with you on LinkedIn?
    • How to connect with Damon on LinkedIn.
    • Next scheduled events in the Australian CFO Summit.