TL;DR:
- Alliantgroup’s Think Tank event highlighted the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
- The event introduced Darren Guillot, former IRS Deputy Commissioner, as the new National Director.
- Guillot’s expertise is crucial as the IRS intensifies efforts against ERC fraud.
- Chris Stephenson, alliantgroup’s Managing Director, showcased practical AI applications via a “Digital Workshop.”
- “Digital Workers” emerged as a novel approach to augment the workforce with AI.
- Jamie Fowler, Vice Chair of Intelligent Automation & AI, emphasized the importance of SMBs embracing AI.
- The event addressed the CPA talent shortage and legislative changes affecting business owners.
- Alliantgroup aims to empower SMBs with AI, talent, and capital.
Main AI News:
In the latest alliantgroup Think Tank event, Artificial Intelligence (AI) assumed a central role, captivating the attention of over 125 CEOs, industry partners, and influential leaders. While corporate giants and tech behemoths have engaged in a fervent race for AI supremacy, pertinent questions and apprehensions linger among America’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) regarding this transformative technology. Think Tank, known for its commitment to addressing the needs of main street businesses, solidified its reputation as the foremost thought leadership event for SMBs, with this year’s summit upholding that tradition.
The summit also provided a platform for the formal introduction of alliantgroup’s new National Director, Darren Guillot, formerly the IRS Deputy Commissioner of the Small Business Division. With his extensive expertise in fraud detection and collections, Guillot emerges as a sought-after resource as the IRS intensifies its crackdown on dubious Employee Retention Credit (ERC) promoters. Many businesses, misinformed about their eligibility, as well as CPAs aiming to safeguard their clients, are turning to Guillot for guidance.
“Though challenges loom on the horizon, opportunities abound for businesses genuinely deserving of the Employee Retention Credit, as intended by Congress. Our aim is to dispel uncertainty and shed light on the ‘what,’ ‘why,’ and ‘why not’ surrounding this credit, thus assisting those who truly qualify,” expressed Guillot.
During the event, Guillot participated in a panel discussion on the historical evolution and the latest revisions to ERC. Subsequently, he joined forces with the firm’s four former IRS Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to deliberate on the IRS’s strategies, encompassing augmented enforcement measures and enhanced customer service.
The summit’s crowning moment arrived with a two-part presentation on AI by Chris Stephenson, alliantgroup’s Managing Director of Intelligent Automation, AI & Digital. Despite the growing accessibility of AI through products like ChatGPT, most business owners grapple with comprehending its practical utility and implementing it effectively. Stephenson outlined his approach to translating AI’s promises into reality by guiding attendees through a “Digital Workshop.” Here, guests collectively brainstormed potential use cases for AI to address common operational challenges faced by firms.
Overnight, Stephenson and his team developed multiple AI solutions, presenting working prototypes to the attendees the following day. He introduced the concept of “Digital Workers,” categorizing AI programs based on their role in augmenting the workforce.
“A digital worker represents a new dimension in our workforce—a technologically driven employee. This opens up avenues to fill vacant roles and empower our existing employees to tackle more of the tasks they aspire to,” Stephenson explained. “Our goal is to showcase how these tools can be tailored to meet your specific needs, delivering significant impact with immediate return on investment, all without the exorbitant costs associated with large enterprises.”
Jamie Fowler, alliantgroup’s Vice Chair of Intelligent Automation & AI, echoed the importance of smaller businesses embracing AI to avoid becoming obsolete. With a lengthy track record of implementing new technologies to solve business challenges, Fowler’s insights are valuable. She recently served as Chief Transformation Officer at Grant Thornton.
“Innovation thrives within small and medium-sized businesses. By scaling these technologies, you’ll have the capacity to focus on your clients, enhance your service offerings, and streamline your business operations,” Fowler emphasized. “Leveraging our extensive experience in implementing these technologies and leveraging alliantgroup’s 20-year track record, we comprehend the unique challenges and requirements you face. We understand the apprehension that tackling these technologies may entail, but we empower you to identify and implement solutions tailored to your needs, minimizing disruption to your existing infrastructure.“
Stephenson has initiated the availability of these Digital Workshops to all businesses, facilitating the identification and development of AI solutions.
The event also featured discussions on the persistent talent shortage in the CPA profession and a panel dedicated to forecasting potential legislative changes affecting business owners. Led by alliantgroup’s National Managing Director and former Senior Counsel to the Senate Finance Committee, Dean Zerbe, the panel included influential alliantgroup advisory board members:
- Senior Vice President, Rick Lazio, Former Congressman
- Director of Agriculture, Heidi Heitkamp, Former Senator
- Chairman of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
- Chairman of Job Creation & Retention, Joe Crowley, Former Congressman
- Rick White, Former Congressman, former CEO of TechNet, and founder of the Internet Caucus
- Erik Paulsen, Former Congressman, lead member of the Chief Tax Writing House Ways & Means Comm
- Director, Dawn Levy-O’Donnell, Former U.S. Senate Finance Committee Counsel
“We’ve always been dedicated to supporting the small and medium-sized businesses that fuel the U.S. economy. These businesses not only drive the majority of innovation in America but also generate the majority of jobs. However, they often lack the resources to compete with larger corporations. Our mission is to level the playing field. By equipping main street America with AI, talent, and capital, we’ll ensure that this country remains the best in the world,” asserted Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliantgroup.
Conclusion:
The alliantgroup Think Tank event underscores the pivotal role of AI in empowering small and medium-sized businesses. With expert insights, practical AI applications, and a commitment to addressing SMBs’ unique challenges, alliantgroup is poised to level the playing field, ensuring these businesses thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. This event signals a significant shift towards AI adoption and innovation within the SMB sector, promising growth and resilience in the market.
