Few AI-based tools have created as much of a stir as ChatGPT, the natural language processing chatbot developed by OpenAI. At its very base level, the technology can create opportunities for companies to augment human capabilities. The potential to draft a range of content has already gotten leadership teams wondering how to leverage ChatGPT to streamline at least that aspect of the business. However, ChatGPT’s functionalities go beyond language modeling, bringing the technology front of mind for many finance leaders.
But what could generative AI in finance mean for an organization?
For one, ChatGPT isn’t just an enhanced chatbot that can replicate human speech. It can also serve as a powerful search engine that not only provides quick and accurate answers to almost any question but also analyzes large amounts of data and compiles substantial research. In just a few moments, finance teams can uncover a number of patterns, trends, and opportunities that can help improve productivity and enable faster decision-making.
The technology also has the capacity to automate routine tasks. From data entry and report generation to financial modeling, ChatGPT is increasingly accurate in its ability to perform some of the more manual responsibilities—a fact not lost on employees. In a recent LinkedIn poll, 65% of respondents believed ChatGPT has a place in accounting and finance. It’s all a matter of understanding how to leverage the technology strategically, so finance teams can focus on aspects of the job that require more critical thinking.
Precautions in Using Open-Source Generative AI in Finance
Leveraging open-source generative AI in finance isn’t without risk, even if you only use it to create a better customer experience or improve your team’s productivity. You must consider the data privacy and confidentiality implications. Remember, this is an open-source tool, meaning it’s publicly accessible. There is always the potential that someone on the finance team might inadvertently disclose proprietary data—that or a trade secret. Because the technology constantly learns from each interaction, the ChatGPT security implications are astronomical. The tool could end up divulging a piece of information that should otherwise be private.
Looking at the other side of ChatGPT’s security implications, the information produced during a “conversation” with the technology could result in using trademarked, copyrighted, or someone else’s intellectual property without realizing it. Needless to say, this can introduce legal risks for the finance team and the organization in general. You can certainly establish parameters for its use, as well as what can and cannot be shared. But employees are human and therefore prone to error, so security and legal ramifications should always be top of mind.
How to Leverage ChatGPT Within the Finance Function
While ChatGPT and finance might seem like strange bedfellows, there are a host of ways the technology can enhance operations, productivity, innovation, and decision-making within the finance function. The following are some areas where finance teams can get the most benefits from ChatGPT:
1. Analysis and Forecasting
Being an analytics powerhouse with its ability to dissect copious amounts of financial data, ChatGPT has the potential to provide real-time insights into market trends, which can help generate future projections and movements for your company.
One of the main advantages of generative AI models is that they can be used to identify patterns in financial data that would be difficult or impossible for humans to detect. This means they can help analysts identify trends and opportunities they might otherwise miss. For example, a generative AI model can identify a correlation between two seemingly unrelated factors that could significantly impact a company’s cash flow.
2. Risk Management
The ability to analyze real-time financial data affords finance teams the opportunity to better detect patterns and identify potential risks, which can be of great benefit in creating strategic risk models.
Additionally, generative AI models can be used to automate many tasks that were previously done manually by human analysts. Instead of sifting through spreadsheets and reports, AI models can take on the brunt of the workload. This can save time and money for businesses and reduce the risk of errors. For example, a generative AI model could be used to automatically populate and generate reports based on real financial data or identify potential risks while ensuring the data is as accurate as possible.
3. Strategic Planning
ChatGPT and other generative AI models can uncover growth opportunities while still underlining potential challenges. Once trained on the relevant data, ChatGPT can generate strategic recommendations for the business, helping shape decisions about which direction would be most fruitful for operations.
A Generative AI model can also be used to analyze large amounts of financial data and generate easy-to-understand and interpret reports. They can also be used to identify potential risks and opportunities in financial markets, allowing business leaders to make more informed investment decisions.
The Impact of Generative AI
As you explore how to leverage ChatGPT, it’s important to always keep in mind the technology’s limitations. Finance professionals have long valued precision and accuracy—and for good reason. Transpose one number incorrectly, and it could lead to serious repercussions for an organization. As with any new technology, it’s critical to evaluate where ChatGPT fits within the responsibilities of a department. Think through where the tool will be able to streamline workflows and automate tasks, and make sure to set parameters around its use.
Generative AI models are changing the face of finance in many ways. They are helping finance leaders make better decisions, reduce the risk of human error, and automate many tasks that were previously done manually. And as these models continue to evolve and improve, they are likely to play an increasingly important role in the future of finance.
