Alistair Brisbourne, ACCA’s senior subject manager for technology, offers expert insight into ACCA’s policy and research on artificial intelligence (AI) and technology adoption in the accountancy profession. Known for making complex ideas accessible, he also talks about his enduring love of sport and life as a new dad.

What drew you to the world of research and insights?

For me, it's a vocation. I’m obsessed with trying to unpack things and understand why any particular phenomenon has come to be a certain way. I'm never satisfied with an explanation that I haven’t been able to investigate – I need to dig deeper into the raw data and ask questions - it’s not just learning about a particular subject, it's also a process of self-discovery.

I'm fascinated by human behaviour, how it shapes and is shaped by institutions and norms, and that has drawn me towards technology. As a society, we struggle with technology because innovation and its impact often presents difficult choices and yet, it's intrinsic to who we are. Our ability to create new technologies is a fundamental part of being human. And the stories we tell about technology play a powerful role in guiding our choices around innovation because we adapt to new technologies quickly but their real impact often takes longer to be understood.

What did you study?

I have a PhD in international relations and my research explored the development of civil society networks between the European Union and North Africa, which brought together elements of network analysis, political sociology, geopolitics and cultural relations. I started it in 2011, when uprisings were happening across North Africa and the Arab world.

Why did that appeal to you?

The politics there have always been incredibly complex and important for understanding geopolitics more broadly. Politics was always a topic of conversation in our house. I had relatives who worked for the UN, and I visited the UN headquarters in Geneva several times as a boy. My mum’s side of the family also lived in Egypt for several years, and my grandmother (on my dad's side) spent time in Lebanon and Libya. Growing up, I heard countless stories, which gave me a connection to the region.

You've recently been involved with the AI monitor series which identifies and examines the accountancy perspective on pressing AI challenges, discussing routes and next steps for finance professionals.

We wanted to understand how ACCA members are thinking about their future and the role technology will play in shaping it, and the factors that correlate with implementing new technologies, such as leadership and data governance.

When we devised the research concept for Digital Horizons, generative AI was just being released to the public. We made a conscious attempt not to focus solely on AI, but instead to place it in a broader context of technology adoption within finance and accountancy. With such a critical and rapidly evolving discussion, it was even more important that we consider the bigger picture.

In our latest reports, we’ve focused more intensively on AI. Our Smart Alliance report gives a ‘snapshot’ of how AI is currently being used within accounting and finance and provides some case studies and best practice advice. It’s clear that there’s still some anxiety around AI and the more we can make it understandable and practical, the more we can help our members. Our AI monitor series takes a thematic approach to key issues facing the profession regarding AI adoption: focusing on trust, talent, sustainability, risk and responsibility, and we’ll be analysing the impact on jobs as well as exploring ethical scenarios in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) later this year.

What is it about our purpose that speaks to you personally?

A member recently told me he admires ACCA’s forward-thinking approach, and I completely agree - it's what attracted me to working here. I'm guided by my principles as a researcher; I wouldn't want to do something I didn’t believe in. But I truly believe in the difference that ACCA can make and its ambition around promoting public good, which is as important now as it’s ever been. It’s amazing to be part of an organisation that not only champions diversity, equity and inclusion but also embeds these values into its core identity, fostering cohesion and sustainability.

Whose ideas do you most admire?

One of my all-time favourite academics is French sociologist Bruno Latour. He had a lot to say about the way we're damaging the environment, believing it stemmed from how we conceptualise our society. He argued that if we could change the way we view ourselves, it would lead to better and more sustainable practices. I suspect we’re seeing something like that with AI right now, but I also think that it needs to be more inclusive and more of an actual negotiation with individuals and communities who might be impacted.

What do you get up to outside of work? 

I’ve recently become a father, so my wife and I are adjusting to life as parents. It really is a transformative experience – it’s impossible to predict or understand how having a little person relying on you for their every need is going to change you. We’re just loving every moment of it so far, despite the complete lack of sleep! 

We’re still trying to find a routine and part of that is making sure that we can each pursue our hobbies when we can. I love sports and photography, in particular. I recently took up golf and try to play when I can. Until recently, I was also quite a regular climber.  It requires balance and coordination making it a surprisingly meditative experience. You absolutely cannot think about anything else but the next hold when you're on the wall!