The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) recently celebrated its 50th annual National Tax Conference in Washington, D.C., bringing together tax professionals from across the country. The event featured expert guidance on the latest tax topics, including the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and resulting implications for tax practitioners. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a focal point, reflecting its expanding role in the tax profession. This development has prompted mixed reactions among tax professionals, including excitement, doubt, and uncertainty about their future roles.

Exploring the Future of AI in Tax

One of the conference highlights was the session titled “The Future of AI for Tax: Evolving Technology and User Impact.” This dynamic panel included representatives from PwC and Blue J^®, who shared real-world experiences and practical insights into how AI is reshaping the profession. The discussion underscored that AI is progressing beyond mere automation and efficiency; it is becoming a strategic tool that empowers tax professionals to operate with greater foresight and impact.

Julie Allen, U.S. board partner at PwC, emphasized the importance of aligning AI initiatives with business objectives. She advised, “It’s a strategic enabler, but the most important thing is [to] always start with the business objective. It can’t be the reverse. Let’s figure out the right tool—is Gen AI the right tool to get us to where we want to go?”

Allen also reassured attendees about the continuing importance of human expertise. There will still be a need for new professionals, but their role will evolve from what it was just a few years ago. “AI doesn’t take away their job—it’s that they [will] learn it and marry it with the human mind.”

On the topic of responsible use, Allen stressed the necessity of oversight and review: “Every bit of this has to be reviewed, right? For those skeptics who say it spits out incorrect information, it absolutely does. But that’s why we have to test it and make sure that it’s referring back to the right resource or ask it better prompts to get a better answer.”

Responsible Use & Ethical Considerations

Speakers at the conference addressed the importance of client consent, data privacy, and robust internal controls. Allen explained, “Our risk organization group makes sure that anything we’re doing is clear in our engagement letters, and that we’re not using specific client information to benefit another client.” These discussions reinforced the importance of ethical considerations and transparency in adopting AI solutions.

Choosing the Right Tools

The panel compared general-purpose AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, with tax-specific solutions like Blue J^® and Thomson Reuters CoCounsel.

Benjamin Alarie, professor at the University of Toronto and CEO of Blue J^®, described their approach: “We are leveraging the very best foundational models on the market. … We really care about security. It’s a huge consideration for our clients, which include government entities and Big Four accounting firms.”

Blue J^® has developed a product that is easy for new users to jump right in and use the program effectively. He added, “Our attitude at Blue J^® is: Let’s meet the users way more than halfway. Let us take on, as much as possible, the burden of figuring out how to prompt these systems in order to generate very high-quality tax research answers.”

Personal Perspective

As a tax professional, I am optimistic and so excited about the opportunities AI platforms can contribute to our daily practice. The conference’s focus on AI was both timely and relevant. The panel’s emphasis on responsible use and human oversight resonated with me. I learn from my colleagues about how AI is already streamlining routine tasks. As we continue to integrate these tools, our team will be able to focus on higher-level analysis and client strategy.

I have been piloting both Blue J^® and CoCounsel, incorporating them into my everyday work. The output is powerful and significantly more efficient than traditional research tools. I use both tools every single day.

I look forward to seeing how the profession continues to evolve as we integrate AI tools more deeply into our practice. The tools and approaches discussed at the conference have so much potential to enhance our value to clients. We will continue to proceed thoughtfully, to ensure we always maintain high professional standards.

Key Takeaways

• Start with strategy: Align AI initiatives with business objectives.
• Train your team: AI literacy is essential for responsible use.
• Communicate with clients: Be transparent about how AI supports your work.
• Review everything: Human oversight is non-negotiable.

AI is rapidly transforming the tax profession. There is so much opportunity to improve efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight. The implementation of AI into the tax profession will complement and enhance the human aspect of professional service.