AI and robotics to the fore at National conference of Chartered Accountants

The 39th National Conference of Chartered Accountants was held at the BMICH, Colombo on Monday with James Dauris, British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka as Chief Guest.

Prof. Lalith Gamage, Vice Chancellor/CEO, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) making his presentation as the Guest of Honour spoke on the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Business, Industry and Society’.

Some of the texts of the presentations made at the conference suggested as to whether ‘Artificial Intelligence’ would replace human activity. 

Prof. Gamage at the tail end of his presentation showed a video clip where a robot lifted a box placed on the ground and placed it on a rack somewhat identical to what a human would do.  It showed a person, pushing the robot with a stick little away, when the robot was trying to lift other box on the ground. But the robot returns and tries to lift the box again.

He said: “Next thing I am going to speak is about robotics and it is very interesting”.  He said that human babies takes at least one year to stand up, because the brain has developed to such an extent that one can stand on two legs. He said that in robotic terms – earlier robots could barely stand on two legs and in 2005 very sophisticated robots were made.  
“If one looked at 2005 robots and compare with today the robot in 2018 robots there is a great difference,” he said.  “It is all about the intelligence that they have put into the robotic system and have a look at this,” he said and showed the video clip where a robot lifts a box and places in a rack exactly like a human being does.

The conference held for two days is considered as the biggest business summit in Sri Lanka that included locally and internationally acclaimed visionaries, decision makers, business leaders and entrepreneurs. This year’s conference set a new record with over 2,000 participants.

Jagath Perera, President, CA Sri Lanka said that there has been a considerable impact on the role of the accountancy profession with the influence of disruptive technologies. He said that this has renewed the call for them as professional accountants to comprehend the need to adapt with time, while understanding that technology is here to stay.

He stressed that they have to work with it and not against it.  He indicated that in that way it has become increasingly important for professionals including chartered accountants to take bold strides and leap forward to evolve in their professional role. (QP)