Cultivating critical collaboration : GenAI as a co-pilot in equity valuation education

Abstract

This study explores the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) as a multifunctional pedagogical tool within an equity valuation course, demonstrating its role in bridging theoretical finance with practical application. Framed by distributed cognition, the instructor employed GenAI as a “co-pilot” to generate cases, automate financial data processing, and execute valuation models. This collaborative approach transformed students from passive calculators into active, critical analysts, enabling deeper strategic engagement by offloading routine tasks. Findings indicate that while GenAI enhances analytical efficiency and provides useful scaffolding, it remains limited in strategic thinking, qualitative assessment, and assumption development within equity valuation, highlighting the irreplaceable role of human judgment. The course cultivated critical GenAI collaboration literacy, equipping students to command, validate, and synthesise AI-generated insights, thereby preparing them for the evolving demands of the finance profession.