Framework for OpenAI type chatbots and the new paradigm for Artificial Intelligence integration in Accounting Information Systems for SMEs

• Published in: Journal of Contemporary Management 2024-01, Vol.20 (si1), p.174-195
• Main Authors: Mpofu, Amos Chidanika, Zhou, Helper, Sibanda, Mabutho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accounting information systems; Analytics; Artificial intelligence; decision making; OpenAI; SME
• ISSN: 1815-7440
• DOI: 10.35683/jcm23.042.241

Purpose of the study: Numerous studies have highlighted the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionising Accounting Information Systems (AIS) for Small to Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasised the necessity for AI-enabled solutions to inform real-time decision-making, particularly among SMEs. Studies on the integration of AI into AIS position the important role of detailed analytics provided by AI in assisting decision-makers with diagnostics, prediction, and optimisation tasks. The growing interest in chatbots, exemplified by OpenAI tools such as chatGPT, presents an important alternative perspective on utilising accounting data. Therefore, this study proposes a hybrid framework that enables SMEs to incorporate AI-chatbot features into their AIS, empowering them to tackle the challenges posed by a volatile business environment.Design/methodology/approach: To develop the framework, the study employed a comprehensive review of empirical studies on AI, AIS, and chatbots from various databases.Findings: The reviewed literature showed that the chatbot interactions approach presents valuable insights and heightened options beyond static financial reports, which typically require additional skills for adequate interpretation from AIS. Consequently, to bridge this gap, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, our study presents a framework for the integration of chatbots into AIS systems, thereby empowering SMEs to gain a competitive edge in the market by accessing highly complex and expensive human skills.Recommendations/value: The study recommends the implication of chatbot tools to facilitate queries of the AIS through simple conversational interfaces for SMEs in developing countries. Managerial implications: Management, therefore, has the opportunity to simplify the interrogation of financial and non-financial information through the employ of robust mechanisms to incorporate conversational AI in their accounting systems for enhanced operations and decision making.