ASQ Artificial Intelligence in Auditing Navigating the New Era

Introduction

I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the ASQ Audit Division Annual Conference this year. Where the central theme was AI in auditing, and while AI may be trendy, it is undeniably critical from the auditor’s perspective.

Summary Overview

Discussions reminded us of the unique tools, infrastructure, and mindset auditors bring to this new technology. Key topics included:

• How to audit and validate AI systems.
• The pressing need for innovation to make audits more effective.
• Integrating AI policies into supplier agreements, audit reports, and checklists.

The message was clear: organizations must not exclude AI but instead build governance and safeguards directly into their quality processes.

Key Takeaways from Speakers

Attrayee Chakraborty delivered one of the most directly beneficial sessions I’ve seen in recent memory.

I’ve watched her speak at other conferences, always diving deep but her perspective at ASQ Audit this year was practical and filled with concrete takeaways.

“Most of the resource-limited organizations are more reactive. I believe that using the examples which I show, you can press from a reactive to a proactive form.”

This line encapsulated her message. She showed how AI can serve as a bridge for under-resourced teams, providing direct prompts and tools to shift from reactive to proactive auditing. She also cautioned about the risks of generative tools, underscoring the need for careful governance.

Another standout session was from Kellan Ilse, Director of Quality Auditing LLC, who delivered a high-level yet highly informative breakdown of AI standards and procedures in auditing.

Kellan began with a survey of auditors, including the fact that almost no auditors were fully engaged with AI, similar to other industry benchmarks.

He also continued his talk, emphasizing the emerging differences between U.S. and EU approaches to AI regulation. While today’s guidance remains limited(non-existent in the Audit perspective), Kellan highlighted how future standards, documents, and leadership in the field will diverge significantly across regions(EU vs US). Importantly, Kellan also pointed to practical tools auditors can start using now, including ASQ’s own AI chatbot to begin preparing for this future.

“The sky is not falling, and AI is not going to take your job.”

Instead, it's about upskilling and training our industry for the future. Overall, the notes were clear, but while tools exist, their support systems and understanding may be limited, and even more so, their use remains minimal.

Closing Thoughts

The ASQ Audit Division conference reinforced a critical truth: training, understanding, and documentation are essential to effectively disseminate and integrate disruptive new tooling.