Practice Forward with

Have you noticed that more people are starting to talk about AI tools like they’re humans instead of software?

People are constantly saying things such as:

• “I asked ChatGPT…”
• “My AI assistant reminded me…”
• “Claude helped me think through…”
• “It’s like having a tutor…”
• “I talk to it when I’m anxious…”
• “It’s my brainstorming partner…”

Culturally, people are treating AI differently from other technologies that have come before it.

I’ve never heard anyone say, “Excel helped me process my feelings,” or “QuickBooks gave me confidence before a difficult meeting.”

When people evaluate an AI tool, they’re starting to compare it to coaches, mentors and administrative assistants. No one’s comparing the robot that answers all their questions to tax software or traditional productivity tools.

That’s a completely new kind of conversation.

From Automation to Development

For years, most accounting tech conversations focused on operations. But lately, some of the most interesting use cases seem to be moving away from pure efficiency and toward something much more human.

Firm leaders are talking more about communication quality, employee development and consistency across teams.

Some firms are starting to think about AI as something that can support human development inside the firm itself.

The firms most seriously exploring these tools often aren’t just asking: “What can this automate?”

They’re asking:

• Can this help our people learn faster?
• Can this help newer staff communicate more confidently?
• Can this support managers who are already overwhelmed?
• Can this create more consistent coaching experiences across the firm?

AI Is Revealing Human Challenges

Industry leaders are starting to think more intentionally about how people learn, communicate and build confidence inside modern accounting firms.

Once firms start thinking about AI through a more human lens, that shift naturally leads to bigger questions about how teams learn, communicate and develop. It makes leaders think more critically about where their teams are struggling and what they need help with.

That’s valuable whether the answer to these problems ends up being AI or not.

Once you identify the gaps, the solution might be AI, or it might not be. Either way, viewing technology through this lens forces firms to think about what their people need to succeed. A good place to start is asking your team where they feel least confident today.

Jody Padar, CPA, also known as “The Radical CPA,” is the co-founder of XcelLabs, a training and technology platform that offers solutions to help accountants use AI to build fluency and strategic thinking. Visit XcelLabs for more information.

Backed by the PICPA, XcelLabs is helping CPAs leverage AI to expand advisory capabilities, strengthen firms, and keep the profession future-ready.

Sign up for PICPA’s weekly professional and technical updates by completing this form.

Statements of fact and opinion are the author’s responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA’s officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.