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In this episode, I speak to Sophie Sweeney, a chartered tax advisor, chartered accountant, and university lecturer at University of Galway, to discuss how AI is reshaping the world of tax and finance. 

Sophie shares her unique perspective from both industry and academia, offering a rare look at the ethical, technical, and human sides of AI adoption in tax.

Sophie breaks down what AI in tax actually means, challenges the myth that AI is a threat to experienced professionals, and highlights how technology is redefining expertise, not replacing it. With real-world examples from France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and beyond, this episode explores how tax systems are evolving, the importance of digital literacy, and the urgent need for fair, inclusive governance.

Topics Covered

• Why tax and accounting professionals aren’t being left behind by AI
• How generative AI is already being used in tax functions across big firms
• The surprising lack of regulation in tax advice, and the implications in an AI age
• Sophie’s personal take on automation vs. augmentation in finance
• Real-world examples of AI in action: from French rent analysis to Dutch web scraping
• The ethical imperative: governance, bias, and fairness in tax systems
• Educating the next generation: how students are preparing for AI-first careers
• Excel’s staying power — and why it’s still essential in the AI era
• The role of research in shaping future tax policy and legislation

🔗 Links & Resources

• Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the University of Galway’s free tax clinic
• KPMG 2024 CTO Outlook: AI adoption in tax
• European examples of AI use in tax administrations
• Australian and Spanish AI tax chatbots

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