BDO Launches ‘Personas’ for Operational AI

BDO's 'Personas' for Operational AI: A Human-Led Platform to Streamline Business Processes

BDO, a prominent UK-based accountancy and business advisory firm, has recently introduced an innovative AI platform named 'Personas' aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its 7,500 employees. This move signifies a substantial step in BDO's ongoing commitment to digital innovation. Personas, developed using Microsoft AI technology and harnessing the power of advanced GPT-4 models, is designed to streamline day-to-day tasks, allowing employees to focus on more intricate and strategic aspects of their roles.

Personas offers a range of capabilities, including drafting reports, generating content, analyzing documents, and identifying opportunities for operational improvements. Notably, the platform's standout feature is its adaptability to the unique style and expertise of each user. Through custom personas, Personas tailors prompts and outputs to align with individual preferences and the specific purpose of the task, ensuring adherence to BDO's brand guidelines regarding language, tone, and writing style.

Dan Francis, Partner and Chief Innovation and Digital Officer at BDO's new AI platform significance as an AI technology developed by BDO's workforce for internal use. He emphasizes the value of Personas in everyday tasks and underscores the importance of equipping employees with the tools and digital mindset necessary for their continuous learning and development.

Personas is the result of BDO Labs' efforts, the firm's innovation platform that engages employees across various business areas. Over the past year, BDO Labs conducted over 100 technology experiments, leading to the development of multiple digital products and platforms. The platform operates within a secure BDO environment, prioritizing data confidentiality and compliance.

In alignment with BDO's human-led, technology-powered strategy, Personas is being rolled out to all 7,500 employees, accompanied by extensive support and training programs. This strategic move underscores BDO's commitment to facilitating its workforce's engagement with rapidly evolving technologies such as AI. Recognizing the crucial role of its people in maintaining a competitive edge, BDO invests in cultivating a digital mindset and skill set among its employees.

Driving this innovation is Dan Francis, who assumed the role of Partner in November 2023, reflecting BDO's acknowledgment of his pivotal role in shaping the firm's digital future. Since joining BDO in 2019, Francis has been at the forefront of spearheading innovation initiatives, positioning the firm to lead in embracing emerging technologies.

BDO's introduction of Personas represents a strategic investment in its workforce, leveraging AI to streamline operations, foster innovation, and empower employees for sustained growth in a rapidly evolving industry.