As artificial intelligence increasingly plays a role in business operations, business schools are taking notice. As universities work to incorporate AI literacy into their curriculum, you might wonder how understanding AI can support you in your career. Regardless of the program you pursue and the direction you take in your business career, knowing how to harness AI in your work both sets your resume apart and enables you to tackle the challenges of your field in new and effective ways.
Whether auditing, investigating fraud, or advising, accounting professionals work with a ton of information. Already, artificial intelligence tools are being utilized to support data entry and analysis in accounting, and accounting students put themselves at an advantage by understanding how those tools can support their careers. AI can automate repetitive data input tasks, analyze data sets for patterns, and flag discrepancies or issues in financial records. A strong understanding of where AI can support their work enables today’s accounting students to spend less time on entering and parsing data and more time analyzing, advising, and working directly with clients.
Casey Evans, professor of accounting and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Services at the Kogod School of Business, says: "With access to vast amounts of information at their fingertips, students gain a deeper understanding of fundamental accounting concepts, explore complex financial scenarios using big data, and increase efficiency by streamlining their research, which ultimately arms them with the skills needed to provide high-level support to their future clients."
It’s impossible to talk about the role of information technology in business without mentioning the adoption of AI tools. As more businesses adopt AI to support operations across the board, a comprehensive understanding of business technology hinges on staying up to date with developments in the AI space. With a firm grasp on AI, machine learning, and modeling, information technology professionals gain an edge in everything from cybersecurity to data analytics. IT professionals can utilize AI to automate systems, support customer experiences with tools such as chatbots, and deepen their ability to adapt in a rapidly evolving industry.
Shawn Janzen, professor of information technology and analytics at Kogod, says: “AI-integrated coursework better strengthens business analytics programs by enabling students to grasp key concepts more quickly, which frees up time for advanced technical topics, richer discussions, and ultimately results in higher-quality applied projects. This AI knowledge also better prepares business students to excel as data storytellers and information professionals, empowering them to design complex models and deliver more insightful, data-informed guidance for actionable decisions.”
Current AI developments encompass a diverse range of tools to support financial professionals in their daily work. AI tools can support tasks such as investment analysis, risk modeling, and fraud detection, further enabling financial professionals to make informed decisions and advise clients as financial planners. Beyond the use of specific tools, however, AI literacy also supports data interpretation skills, as finance students can more easily parse large datasets and analyze findings to better understand the decisions they make. A career in finance requires strategic, informed decision-making skills and a strong grasp of how AI can support that, allowing finance professionals to perform their work both quickly and accurately.