Mark Hickman on AI, Adoption, and Why 70% Right Isn't Good Enough

Mark Hickman, Managing Director of North America at Sage, returns to break down what's driving Sage's fastest-growing region — from the company's AI strategy built around trust, transparency, and human control, to the upcoming Sage Future 2026 conference in San Francisco. The conversation covers what finance leaders are actually saying about AI adoption, what's coming in the keynotes and super sessions, and why Hickman argues that "70% right" might be fine for an essay but will never fly in accounting.

• (00:00) - Welcome to the Unofficial Sage Intacct Podcast
• (00:41) - Hosts Life Updates
• (02:32) - Welcome Back Mark Hickman
• (03:33) - Sage North America Scale
• (05:22) - Life on the Road
• (09:16) - Sage Future Tease
• (09:31) - AI You Can Trust
• (13:10) - Finance Leader Feedback
• (15:12) - AI First Competitors
• (17:15) - Beyond AI Initiatives
• (20:46) - Adoption Reality Check
• (22:58) - AI Adoption Takes Time
• (23:22) - AI Hype and Rebrands
• (24:00) - Dotcom Comparisons
• (25:40) - Future Event Recap
• (28:12) - Keynotes and Speakers
• (30:37) - Super Sessions Explained
• (33:33) - Enablement Beyond Conference
• (34:15) - Baseball Banter Break
• (35:24) - Surprise Announcements Tease
• (36:20) - Experience and Sage Fest
• (38:20) - Marketplace and Sponsors
• (39:53) - ROI and Community
• (41:08) - Attendee Goals and Networking
• (45:29) - Wrap Up and Dad Jokes

Connect with the Hosts:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybmadere
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlescault
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlewis715

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