In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Adam Shilton, an expert in digital transformation, automation, and AI-powered workflows. The discussion focuses on how AI is changing the way we work, the risks of synthetic data, and how finance professionals can harness technology to become more efficient. Adam also shares his personal journey from corporate FP&A to running his own business, along with an overview from his recent TEDx talk.

Adam Shilton is the founder of Shilton Digital, a TEDx speaker, and a digital systems architect specializing in automation, AI tools, and no-code solutions. With a background in finance and technology, he helps leaders streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and replace manual work with meaningful work. He is also the Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, supporting SME finance leaders, and a course facilitator for AI and automation.

In this episode, you will discover:

• The role of AI in finance and why understanding data science is crucial.
• The risks of synthetic AI training data and its potential long-term impact.
• How Adam transitioned from corporate finance to running his own digital business.
• The best ways to integrate AI into workflows without losing human creativity.
• Why learning foundational skills (like Python or Excel) still matters in the AI era.

In this conversation, Adam Shilton highlighted the importance of using AI as a supporting mechanism rather than a replacement for human expertise. With the risks of synthetic data and the value of foundational skills like Python and Excel, this discussion explains the need for adaptability in the digital age.

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:

[01:46] - Introduction of guest Adam Shilton

[02:48] - The Rise of AI in Podcasting

[06:11] - The Problem with Synthetic Data

[13:44] - AI in Financial Analysis

[17:20] - AI as an Augmenting Tool

[25:01] - AI for Learning & Skill Development

[29:04] - Should Finance Pros Still Learn Excel & Python?

[38:19] - Adam’s TEDx Talk

[41:17] - From Corporate Finance to Entrepreneurship

[44:23] - If Your TED Talk Had a Theme Song?