Smith School Associate Professor Sean Cao’s research shows investor site visits do more than gather information. On-site interactions also monitor managers, improving efficiency—an essential human role that artificial intelligence, he argues, cannot replace.

Sean Cao, director of the Smith AI Initiative, has researched blockchain’s role in financial auditing for six years. His study, published in Management Science (2024), explores how permissioned blockchains enhance reporting integrity, reduce costs by 70%, and improve data privacy.

Smith School professor Sean Cao, director of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research, has authored a free textbook on AI for accounting and finance. The book simplifies AI learning by focusing on data application rather than programming, making AI accessible to business students.

The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland is pioneering AI education to meet rising industry demand. The school's new AI center and specialized programs prepare students to address business challenges with AI, ensuring graduates' market relevance.