Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security: Implications for E-Trans and E-Accounting in Emerging Economies

This study was motivated by the increasing and seemingly unstoppable nature of cybercrimes and the perceived effect on data safety and reliability in accounting practice. Consequently, this study is poised to ascertain the relationship between artificial intelligence-driven electronic transactions and data loss, theft and manipulation; as well as to ascertain the effect of artificial intelligence-based electronic accounting on data safety and reliability. It adopted a survey design to obtain primary data from a sample of 492 professional accountants comprising ACAs, FCAs, CNAs, and FCNAs in the South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria, through a questionnaire. Analysis of variance and regression analysis from SPSS test results disclosed a significant nexus between artificial intelligence-driven electronic transactions and data loss, theft and manipulation. The test results also revealed that the adoption and recognition of artificial intelligence-based electronic accounting significantly affect the safety and reliability of financial data. Accordingly, this study concludes that, financial data from artificial intelligence-driven electronic transactions are significantly susceptible to data loss, theft and manipulation, and that the adoption and recognition of artificial intelligence-based electronic accounting impairs the security and reliability of financial data. Consequently, this study recommends that firms should be watchful and employ adequate trust management and web security measures and mechanisms in adopting and recognising artificial intelligence-related electronic transactions and accounting. This study further recommends that artificial intelligence technology inventors and engineers should shift focus towards a redefinition, re-engineering and reshaping of artificial intelligence technologies and platforms that can be easily governed and safely benefit users.