Assess the cost-effectiveness of Company Z's investment in artificial intelligence (AI) research using job costing and maintain consistency in cost allocation.

Requirements:

1. Identify direct costs associated with Company Z's AI research and development projects, estimated at $45,000,000.
2. Allocate indirect costs, including data acquisition and computing infrastructure, using job costing methods consistently across AI projects.
3. Determine the total cost per AI project (e.g., machine learning algorithms, AI applications) while ensuring consistency in cost allocation practices.
4. Analyze profitability and market potential for AI-driven products and services.
5. Recommend strategies to enhance AI capabilities and capitalize on technological advancements while adhering to the Consistency Principle.

Investment Project	Initial Investment ($)	Annual Cash Flows ($)	Project Life (years)
Machine Learning	$50,000,000	$10,000,000	8
AI Applications	$40,000,000	$8,000,000	6

1. Calculate the NPV, IRR, and payback period for Project A with an initial investment of $10,000,000 and annual cash flows of $2,000,000 over 5 years.
2. Calculate the NPV, IRR, and payback period for Project B with an initial investment of $8,000,000 and annual cash flows of $1,500,000 over 4 years.
3. Recommend which project should be pursued based on the financial metrics.