Updated August 2026. Originally published March 2023.
When our Business Intelligence team recorded this conversation in 2023, generative AI was still new to many organizations. At the time, technical professionals were beginning to explore a practical question: How can tools like ChatGPT support Business Intelligence and Power BI development?
In this Tech Talks webisode, members of IronEdge’s Business Intelligence team put that question to the test. They explore practical ways ChatGPT can assist with Power BI development, including working with DAX and M functions, adding comments to code, and building more efficient development workflows.
Three years later, the technology has continued to evolve, but many of the questions raised in this discussion remain relevant today. AI can help experienced BI professionals work more efficiently, but accuracy, data security, business context, and human validation still matter.
Watch the original discussion below to see some of the early ways our team experimented with ChatGPT for Business Intelligence and Power BI.
How Our BI Team Tested ChatGPT for Power BI
During the conversation, our team tested several ways ChatGPT could support everyday Business Intelligence and Power BI workflows, including:
- Exploring potential uses for ChatGPT in the workplace
- Discussing accuracy and reliability concerns
- Creating workflows to support Power BI development
- Working with DAX functions
- Writing an M function
- Adding comments and documentation to code
- Considering how AI adoption could evolve across industries
These examples demonstrated an important distinction that remains relevant today: AI can accelerate certain technical tasks, but the output still needs to be reviewed and validated by someone who understands the data, business requirements, and intended outcome.
How Can ChatGPT Help with Power BI Development?
ChatGPT can assist Power BI developers with tasks such as explaining DAX calculations, suggesting approaches to formulas, helping write Power Query M code, documenting existing code, and troubleshooting development questions.
For experienced developers, AI can be particularly useful as a starting point. Instead of replacing technical knowledge, it can help reduce the time spent on repetitive work or researching unfamiliar syntax.
However, AI-generated code shouldn’t automatically be treated as production-ready. Developers still need to validate calculations, confirm business logic, test results, and make sure the solution works correctly within the organization’s data environment.
What Should BI Teams Consider Before Using ChatGPT?
Accuracy is only one consideration when using AI for Business Intelligence. BI teams also need to think carefully about the information they provide to AI tools, particularly when working with sensitive operational, financial, customer, or proprietary business data.
Organizations should establish clear guidelines around approved AI tools, data governance, and how AI-generated outputs are reviewed. The goal isn’t simply to use AI more often. It’s to use it appropriately while maintaining confidence in the data and decisions that follow.
How Has AI in Business Intelligence Changed Since This Conversation?
When this webisode was recorded in 2023, many BI professionals were still experimenting with generative AI and learning where it could fit into their workflows.
Today, the ways BI professionals use AI have expanded considerably. AI can assist with understanding existing reporting environments, accelerating SQL and Power BI development, creating technical documentation, summarizing project information, and helping professionals learn unfamiliar technologies more efficiently.
What hasn’t changed is the importance of human expertise. Experienced BI professionals provide the business context, technical judgment, and validation needed to turn AI-generated output into reliable solutions.
Want to see how that conversation has evolved? Read our latest discussion on How Business Intelligence Professionals Are Using AI to Work Smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT and Power BI
- Can ChatGPT help with Power BI?
Yes. ChatGPT can assist Power BI professionals with tasks such as explaining DAX, generating or troubleshooting code, working with Power Query M, creating documentation, and exploring approaches to development problems. AI-generated outputs should still be reviewed and validated by an experienced professional. - Can ChatGPT write DAX formulas?
ChatGPT can generate and explain DAX formulas based on the information and requirements provided. However, developers should test the output carefully to confirm that the calculation reflects the correct business logic and produces accurate results. - Can AI replace Power BI developers?
AI can help automate or accelerate certain development tasks, but experienced Power BI professionals are still needed to understand business requirements, design data models, validate results, solve complex problems, and ensure reporting supports the decisions an organization needs to make.
Explore What’s Possible with Business Intelligence
AI is creating new ways for Business Intelligence professionals to work with data, but the foundation remains the same: reliable data, thoughtful reporting, and experienced professionals who understand the business questions behind it.
Whether you’re modernizing Power BI reporting, connecting data from multiple systems, or exploring how AI can support your Business Intelligence workflows, IronEdge’s BI team can help you build a stronger foundation for reporting and analytics.
