The 4th annual meeting of the INTOSAI Working Groupon Impact of Science and Technology on Auditing commences in Abu Dhabi today

International SAIs will discuss the future of auditing and technological progress in the field

• The international event will gather representatives from more than 30 countries
• Some of the topics to be covered are Image Processing Software and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and AI, Covering Environmental Scan, Emerging Technologies, and more

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 6 November 2023: Today marks the commencement of the 4th Annual Meeting of the INTOSAI Working Group on Impact of Science and Technology on Auditing (WGISTA), hosted at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa until the 7th of November. The event, a collaborative effort by the UAE’s Supreme Audit Institution and the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, has attracted representatives from over 30 countries to deliberate on the integration of technological advancements into the auditing sector for the enhancement of public fund protection and the detection and combat of fiscal discrepancies.

Opening remarks were made by a representative from the SAI UAE, who emphasized the collective vision of preserving public assets, highlighting the necessity for auditors to keep abreast of the ever-evolving technological landscape to future-proof auditing methodologies.

“The role of WGISTA transcends the simple adaptation to new tech; it’s about forecasting and being ahead of the curve,” the spokesperson added.

Gene Dodaro, Vice-Chair of WGISTA and a figurehead from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), addressed the assembly: “I’m proud to welcome each member of the Working Group, and thank you for your enduring commitment and collaboration. Our mission has always been to ensure public sector auditing is in step with technological strides. Given our successful track record and the foresight of SAI UAE’s leadership, I am optimistic about our continued impact and evolution in public sector auditing.”

Over the next two days, the meeting will explore diverse subjects, including the Future Leadership of WGISTA and Next Steps, Environmental Scan on SAI Capabilities on Emerging Technologies and Auditability in the Public Sector, The Impact of Automation and AI, Use of Image Processing Software and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) to Deliver Analytical Insights During Audit, and more.

Key insights will be shared by Minister Vital do Rego, Vice President of the Brazilian Court of Audit, and the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority will showcase ‘Al Mersad’ – the pioneering A.I.-integrated auditing data system.

WGISTA is committed to guiding member SAIs in navigating the shifting dynamics of the auditing landscape, ensuring that responses to technological changes are both strategic and conducive to overcoming potential disruptions in the field.