After working as an accountant for over 18 years, Wei Khjan Chan found himself in a profession undergoing significant changes due to the rise of automation and AI in office environments. Rather than passively waiting for these changes to impact his role, Chan took proactive steps to adapt. Following his attendance at coding workshops in June, the audit partner at a Malaysian accounting firm taught himself “vibe coding” and began developing tools to streamline his work processes.
Chan’s first project was a web application designed to expedite the processing of expense claims following business trips. By utilizing AI-powered optical character recognition, his tool scans receipts, identifies line items, and accurately inputs the data into the company’s financial records. Additionally, he integrated automation to expedite invoice generation and other routine tasks, leading to reduced time spent on paperwork and decreased manual errors. This successful project instilled in Chan a sense of empowerment in shaping his own career trajectory.
Expressing his sentiments to Business Insider, Chan remarked, “It’ll be great if I get to know AI earlier. At least I replace myself rather than let other people replace me,” encapsulating the mindset of professionals who view AI as a tool for enhancing their skill set rather than a threat.
Chan’s learning journey involved incorporating coding tasks into his daily routine after his children went to bed, focusing on small incremental improvements over time. This approach taught him the importance of starting with clear prompts and making gradual adjustments, rather than attempting to tackle large tasks all at once. By observing changes in error messages during debugging, Chan gauged the progress of his AI-powered tools.
Chan’s experience is part of a growing trend where individuals outside the tech industry leverage AI to bring innovative projects to fruition. Examples include an HR professional in Singapore developing a family meal planner during maternity leave and a mother in Maryland creating an emotional processing app inspired by her own mental health journey. These stories highlight the versatility of AI in enabling individuals to transform ideas into practical solutions.
For Chan, the benefits of his web app extend beyond efficiency gains for his finance team. It provides him with valuable skills, enhances his work performance, and instills the confidence that he can actively shape his career amidst automation trends.