Members of Chartered Accountants Ireland based in New York and the surrounding region gathered at the Consulate General Ireland in New York on Monday evening for a panel discussion event on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on business and the accountancy profession. The event was hosted by Institute Chief Executive Rosemary Keogh, President Pamela McCreedy and Director of Members & Advocacy Cróna Clohisey together with head of the New York member chapter Conall McGonagle.
Building and strengthening relationships
Deputy Consul General Katie Daughen opened the evening welcoming members, the Institute leadership team and guests, including visitors from the New York State Society of CPAs, members of American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the IDA. Recognising Chartered Accountants as trusted business leaders, she emphasised the vital role that members play in today’s uncertain economic times due to their understanding of current economic and business conditions. Katie spoke about the importance of two-way US-Ireland business. She highlighted the need for proper implementation of the EU-US Trade Agreement and how the influence and vigilance of Chartered members can contribute to this. She emphasised the enduring ties between the US and Ireland, which both countries seek to protect and grow, citing the 31 million Americans who claim Irish heritage, the 781 Irish companies employing 202,000 people in the US, and 972 US firms employing 245,000 people in Ireland.
Panel discussion: Trusted Business Leadership in an era of artificial intelligence
The panel speakers (Gavan Corr – CEO of Pazithi Group; Stathis Gould – Director of IFAC and Cróna Clohisey, with moderator John McCourt, owner of RSM) shared updates, experiences and insights, encouraging members and guests not to fear AI but to embrace it. Panellist Gavan Corr observed that AI is only as good as the data that goes into it. Those with technical expertise – including Chartered Accountants – will still be essential to maximising its potential and for reviewing its outputs. Auditors, he said, will be more valuable as they will combine the understanding of business with a mastery of AI. The discussion reinforced that while technology is evolving rapidly, human expertise and deep understanding of business remain critical for success.
Building connections, building trust
In her comments, Chief Executive Rosemary Keogh acknowledged the work and commitment of the New York chapter and chapter head Conall McGonagle FCA CPA. She noted that this new member network is building connections across and between the US and the island of Ireland, and thanked them for their contributions to the US and Irish economies and for promoting the brand and profession.
Speaking on the importance of trust and its position as the "north star" of the Institute's Strategy27, Rosemary noted that in the context of uncertain times and fast-moving technologies, trust is the most highly-valued currency. She cited that Chartered Accountants continue to rank among the world's most trusted professions according to Edelman DXI's Trust Survey, and maintaining and strengthening this position is a central focus of Strategy27.
President Pamela McCreedy echoed these sentiments and the theme of the event, noting that three in four organisations already rely on Chartered Accountants to ensure data integrity. She commented that "AI is not just a technical revolution; it’s a human one. It challenges us to think differently about judgment, ethics, and purpose. The future of trusted business leadership will depend on how effectively we balance innovation with integrity – harnessing technology, while holding fast to the values that define our profession”
Staying connected
In her comments during the event, Rosemary Keogh encouraged members to connect with peers locally through their district society or global chapter network supported by Executive Head of Global Engagement Zara Duffy and District and Global Member Manager Gilllian Duffy. She highlighted the profession's global significance and reach and outlined the growth plans of Strategy27 supported by the Institute teams.
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