SAN FRANCISCO, September 22, 2026 — Karbon has been named as a finalist at The 2026 AI Awards in the Best Use of AI in Finance category, specifically for Kai, the AI coworker built into Karbon’s AI operating system for accounting firms.

Operated by global cloud computing awards body, The Cloud Awards, The AI Awards celebrates international leaders driving the next generation of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Now in its third year, the 2026 program saw entries from organizations worldwide, spanning established technology powerhouses to disruptive startups across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and APAC.

The awards highlight transformative advances across the entire AI ecosystem: from core infrastructure and governance to cutting-edge agentic workflows and AI assistants. Special emphasis is placed on practical implementations that deliver measurable value within dedicated operational units and specific vertical markets.

CEO of The Cloud Awards, James Williams, said: “Unveiling the finalists for the 2026 AI Awards is a significant moment. With the sheer volume of entry submissions this year, the competition is fierce, and the quality of work on display is extraordinary.”

“We look for genuine real-world execution that turns technological promise into tangible outcomes. Karbon and their fellow finalists have exemplified this.” 

“Making it to the finals is a remarkable achievement, and we wish everyone the very best as our panel selects the ultimate category winners.”

Kai helps practitioners expand and price services, handle repetitive tasks, surface client insights, plan and prioritize their day, and coordinate across teams through a conversational interface that already understands how their firm operates.

“There is a lot of noise about AI in accounting right now,” said Mary Delaney, CEO at Karbon. “What we care about is whether it changes a practitioner's week. Kai works inside the client relationships, workflows and knowledge a firm has built over years, so the value shows up in the work itself, not in another tool to manage. To have The AI Awards recognize that kind of practical, in-the-flow AI is a proud moment, and is a credit to every Karbonite, and every firm that has helped us build it.”