Core Insights - The latest survey by the Australian Accounting Association indicates a significant increase in AI application rates and maturity among mainland Chinese enterprises over the past year [1][2] Group 1: AI Application and Trends - 92% of respondents from mainland China reported using AI tools like DeepSeek, a substantial increase from 72% in the previous year [1] - 21% of respondents indicated that AI is widely integrated across various business functions, up from 9% in the last survey, marking the highest rate among all surveyed markets [1] - 65% of respondents expect their companies to further increase AI technology applications in the next 12 months, a rise of 17 percentage points from the last survey [2] Group 2: Challenges in AI Implementation - 40% of mainland enterprises identified cost and return uncertainty as a primary challenge, with 49% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) particularly concerned about low investment returns [2] - The lack of transparency and explainability in AI outputs, along with data security risks, poses significant challenges for both large and small enterprises [2] - Compliance and risk management pressures are heightened due to varying global AI governance rules, leading to increased data leakage risks [2] Group 3: Workforce and Talent Development - 32% of respondents noted a reduction in hiring entry-level accounting staff, while 18% reported actively recruiting talent with AI expertise for their finance departments [3] - Companies are advised to balance technology investments with long-term business strategies, especially for SMEs lacking digital capabilities [3] - Employers are encouraged to enhance existing employees' technological skills and create clear policies for ethical AI tool usage [4]

Core Insights - The latest survey by the Australian Accounting Association indicates a significant increase in AI application and maturity among mainland Chinese enterprises over the past year [1][2] Group 1: AI Application and Maturity - 92% of respondents from mainland China reported using AI tools like DeepSeek, a notable increase from 72% in the previous year [1] - 21% of respondents stated that AI is widely integrated into various business processes, up from 9% in the last survey, making it the highest among all surveyed markets [2] - 65% of respondents expect their companies to increase AI technology application in the next 12 months, a rise of 17 percentage points from the last survey [2] Group 2: Impact on Workforce and Skills - 32% of respondents indicated that their companies reduced hiring for junior accounting positions due to AI application, while 18% are actively recruiting talent with AI expertise [3] - The demand for professionals with a combination of traditional accounting knowledge and technological skills is increasing, as companies seek to empower digital transformation [3] Group 3: Cybersecurity Concerns - 74% of respondents reported ongoing use of cybersecurity software, with 35% stating that cybersecurity is fully integrated into their company’s strategy and operations [4][5] - The rise of generative AI and other public large language models has increased data breach risks, necessitating a focus on employee awareness and responsible AI usage [5] Group 4: Investment and Return on Technology - Approximately 40% of enterprises occasionally use free or off-the-shelf AI tools, while many companies are still exploring the return on investment from AI technologies [4] - Small and medium-sized enterprises face challenges in balancing technology investment with long-term business strategies, emphasizing the need for phased investment approaches [4]