In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk about the latest AI developments impacting the finance and technology sectors. They discuss Perplexity AI’s rise, OpenAI’s new AI agent pricing, and how finance professionals can leverage cutting-edge AI tools to stay ahead. The growing AI browser wars, with Perplexity challenging Google and Microsoft, and the role of AI-powered financial tools like Lucid Now in transforming forecasting and decision-making for finance professionals.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Perplexity AI is competing with ChatGPT and Gemini in AI-powered search
• The impact of AI-driven networking tools like Boardy on business connections
• OpenAI’s AI agent pricing and why some models cost up to $20,000 per month
• The AI browser wars and Perplexity’s challenge to Google and Microsoft
• How finance professionals can use AI to enhance efficiency and decision-making

AI is advancing rapidly, and finance leaders must adapt to remain competitive. Whether it’s leveraging AI for research, forecasting, or automation, staying informed is key to success in this evolving landscape. As new AI tools emerge, understanding their strengths and limitations will be crucial for making informed decisions. Those who embrace AI early will gain a significant edge in efficiency, strategy, and innovation.

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:32] - Perplexity AI’s rise and its impact on AI-powered search

[04:19] - Boardy’s AI networking tool and its implications for professionals

[05:51] - The risks of AI-generated content and best practices for using AI

[16:11] - AI-powered financial tools like Lucid Now and their impact on forecasting

[18:53] - Deep Research AI and how finance professionals can use it

[28:52] - Final thoughts on AI adoption in finance

In this episode of Future Finance, host Glenn Hopper talks about the intersection of AI, data analytics, and finance with guest Tom Hinkle. Tom is a Microsoft MVP and analytics expert who shares his unique knowledge about AI’s impact on Excel, data science, and workforce analytics. He also discusses his Minesweeper project in Excel and the changing role of finance professionals in an AI-driven world.

Tom Hinkle is a Microsoft MVP with 20+ years of experience in analytics, data science, and business intelligence. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tom has worked with major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and TIAA. He is known for his problem-solving mindset, technical expertise, and ability to bridge the gap between business and technology.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI is revolutionizing Excel and what that means for finance professionals.
• The role of AI in data cleansing and automation, making finance and analytics work more efficient.
• Why the best coders may not be the most valuable team members in the future of finance.
• Insights on Copilot in Microsoft 365 and how it’s changing financial modeling and reporting.
• The story behind Tom’s Excel Minesweeper project—how he built a game in VBA using AI.

As AI continues to automate repetitive tasks, finance professionals must adapt, refine their analytical skills, and focus on storytelling to translate data into meaningful information. Tom’s journey highlights how embracing new technologies like Microsoft Copilot can enhance productivity rather than replace human expertise.

Follow Tom:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhinkleclt/

Website - https://excel-cafe.teachable.com/

Minesweeper Game - https://www.thefpandaguy.com/new-page-3

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[01:46] - Introduction to the Episode

[03:36] - Meet Tom Hinkle

[06:07] - The Future of AI in Finance

[11:53] - AI’s Impact on Excel and Financial Modeling

[15:31] - The Skills Professionals Need in an AI-Driven World

[24:02] - Building Minesweeper in Excel with AI

[29:51] - Exploring Microsoft Copilot & AI Coding Assistants

[33:07] - The Importance of Storytelling in Data Analytics

[36:54] - Fun Segment & Tom’s Personal Quirk

[40:53] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst sit down with Adam Shilton, a digital transformation expert, TEDx speaker, and founder of Shilton Digital. They explore the intersection of AI, automation, and business efficiency, discussing how leaders can leverage digital tools to replace manual work with more meaningful, impactful tasks. The conversation also focuses on the risks and challenges of AI-generated content, synthetic data, and the future of AI-driven business solutions.

Adam Shilton is a leading voice in digital automation, specializing in helping businesses streamline operations using AI-powered systems. As the founder of Shilton Digital and a sought-after speaker, Adam brings interesting knowledge about the importance and role of AI in modern workplaces.

Expect to Learn

• The potential and limitations of AI-generated content in podcasts and media
• How AI tools like Notebook LM can assist in decision-making and business analysis
• The risks of AI models training on synthetic data and the potential for misinformation
• How businesses can effectively integrate AI without fully outsourcing decision-making
• The future of AI-driven automation, including domain-specific AI agents

The real value of AI lies not in outsourcing thinking, but in amplifying our ability to innovate, streamline, and create. As businesses navigate the digital transformation, the key isn’t just to adopt AI blindly, but to use it as a strategic partner.

Follow Adam:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamshiltontech/

Website - https://www.adamshilton.com/

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[01:29] - Adam’s experiment with AI in comparing ERP systems.

[02:29] - The Risks of AI-Generated Content

[03:33] - AI Training on Synthetic Data

[05:24] - Digital Data vs. Human Knowledge

[07:23] - The Importance of Keeping AI Creative

[08:36] - AI as a Support Tool, Not a Replacement

[09:59] - The Future of AI Agents and Domain-Specific Models