AI meets online Annual Reports
Why online annual reports are invaluable in the age of AI chatbots
The way stakeholders such as investors, journalists, and policymakers search for corporate information is changing rapidly. With the rise of AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and company-specific virtual assistants, users can extract insights from vast amounts of data in seconds.
This development underscores one thing more than ever: the need for reliable, verified information. That’s exactly what online annual reports provide.
In this article, we outline the three key advantages of online annual reports for stakeholders looking for company information through AI chatbots, with a particular focus on the importance of verification and trust.
1. An online annual report contains verified information: the foundation for reliable AI responses
AI models are powerful, but not infallible. When they pull data from unverified or ambiguous sources, the risk of inaccuracies or even outright misinformation increases. That’s why it is critical that AI systems have access to official, audited information. Online annual reports are an ideal source.
These reports are reviewed by auditors, supported by evidence, and approved by management and boards. They represent one of the most reliable sources of company information available. By making these reports accessible in a structured digital format, companies enable AI chatbots to deliver accurate and verifiable answers to stakeholders.
Example:
“What was the revenue of Heijmans in 2024?”
An AI chatbot that draws from the official online annual report will provide fact-based answers grounded in internal, verified data, which can be accessed directly through the source link provided by the chatbot.
2. An online annual report is more accessible than PDF
PDFs were designed for printing, not for intelligent data extraction. While a human reader can scroll through dozens of pages to find a number or chart, AI systems struggle to interpret information from static documents.
AI chatbots perform best when data is structured, semantic, and accessible, all things that PDFs inherently lack. As a result, chatbots may:
• Miss key details hidden deep in the document
• Misinterpret context due to lack of structure
• Skip the source entirely in favor of more easily crawlable (but less reliable) third-party content
This increases the risk of inaccurate or misleading answers being delivered to your stakeholders.
3. Transparency and context through interactive data
Online reports go beyond plain text. They allow for interactive features, real-time updates, and direct links to supporting documentation. This added context helps AI systems understand the relationships between strategic decisions, market developments, and company performance.
Additionally, digital reports are more easily indexed by search engines and more readily integrated into AI knowledge systems. The result: greater visibility for the organization and increased stakeholder trust in the information they receive.
Why this matters?
Trust, accessibility and context are critical in an AI-driven information landscape
AI makes it easier than ever to retrieve company data, but it also increases the risk of disinformation. By publishing verified annual reports in an accessible online format, companies provide a trustworthy source of truth that stakeholders can both rely on and easily access.
Turn your annual report into a trusted digital source
In a world where AI chatbots are increasingly the first point of contact between your organization and its stakeholders, online annual reports are a strategic tool for communicating reliable information and building trust.
Make sure your annual report is not only readable, but also findable, accessible, and AI-ready.
Interested in transforming your annual report into a verified digital source for AI systems?
As regulations become increasingly stringent, and stakeholder expectations rise, annual financial and non-financial reporting will grow more complex. Fortunately, innovative software solutions are emerging to transform reporting into a positive experience for your team and stakeholders.
With the right Digital-First tools, you can seamlessly integrate ESEF and CSRD compliant XBRL tags and publish your reports in multiple appealing formats, including mandatory iXBRL, PDF, dynamic websites, or InDesign. This ensures compliance while enhancing corporate communication.
Learn more about how F19 can empower your organization to create the annual report of the future using our cloud-based, Digital-First reporting platform.
