Audit Team Development - A Strategic Artificial Intelligence Roadmap for Greater Productivity with the Help of Generative AI in Internal Audit
On 16 October 2025, over 150 participants from around the world attended the webinar “Audit Team Development - A Strategic Artificial Intelligence Roadmap for Greater Productivity with the Help of Generative AI in Internal Audit”, presented by Dr Dominik Foerschler, Managing Director of the Audit Research Center, ARC Institute.
The session introduced a 5-stage maturity model for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, based on the roadmap of the so-called Magnificent Seven. Dominik presented practical use cases along the audit value chain, illustrating how generative AI can support planning, risk assessment, testing, reporting, and the integration of cybersecurity risk considerations to strengthen organisational protection. He also shared insights from the CMMI Audit Development Map, showing how each stage is designed to support audit team productivity, enhance audit quality, and enable gradual improvements in processes. The session provided guidance for teams at all levels, whether starting with AI or optimising existing audit practices.
As AI continues to transform the internal audit landscape, it offers opportunities to enhance risk insights, automate routine tasks, and enable audit teams to focus on higher-value strategic activities. Effective adoption requires not only tools but also team development strategies, including upskilling, fostering AI literacy, and embedding AI responsibly into audit workflows.
Looking ahead, internal audit teams can continue to adopt AI tools in a structured way, gradually integrating them into audit processes and risk management activities. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it is done” - a reminder that advancing AI in internal audit is achievable with careful planning, practical steps, and persistence.
