Audit smarter, not harder: A practical guide to navigating the risks and realities of artificial intelligence in the workplace
Artificial intelligence is changing how work gets done, how information is created, and how organizations make decisions. This introductory course helps internal auditors build a practical understanding of AI without getting lost in technical jargon. Participants will learn what AI is, how ChatGPT-style tools work, why concepts like prompts, tokens, patterns, and prediction matter, and where AI may show up in audit work and business processes.
Updated for 2026, this course includes current AI adoption trends, emerging ethical considerations, real-world examples, and practical audit-focused questions. Participants will explore key considerations related to accuracy, data privacy, bias and fairness, transparency, natural resources, misuse, and digital trust. The course also highlights how AI can help auditors analyze unstructured information, support planning and reporting, and ask better questions about AI-enabled processes.
Audit Smarter, not Harder - with Elizabeth and Audie the Internal Otteror!
Elizabeth McDowell, CPA, CIA has over 20 years of audit experience and is the founder of Audit Forward, an innovative internal audit consulting and training firm. Elizabeth is passionate about advancing and advocating for the internal audit profession and was recognized as one of the 2023 Internal Audit Beacons by Richard Chambers. Elizabeth makes auditing and training fun (no, really!) with the help of her mascot, Audie the Internal Otteror. Elizabeth’s most recent industry experience was at Achieve, where she was Sr. Director, Audit Strategy; prior to that, she held internal audit leadership roles at Elevations Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, and Xcel Energy after first starting her career at Ernst & Young.
