Artificial intelligence is set to transform internal audit in 2026, with adoption expected to double next year to 80% from its current adoption rate among internal auditors of 39%, according to new research from Wolters Kluwer.
The survey of 4,214 internal audit professionals, which was conducted on April 30 during “Navigating AI in Internal Audit: Opportunities and Challenges,” a webinar from Wolters Kluwer TeamMate, also found that an additional 41% say they intend to adopt AI in the next 12 months.
“Over half of internal auditors identified productivity and efficiency gains as the key advantage of AI adoption in the coming year,” Frans Klaassen, senior vice president and general manager of Wolters Kluwer Audit & Assurance and Corporate Tax, said in a statement. “To realize the transformative potential of AI, auditors will need access to advanced, secure technologies to optimize their operations.”
This increase in AI adoption by internal auditors is seen as vital, Wolters Kluwer says. Why? Because 46% of respondents indicated that AI adoption in their internal audit function was lower than in other areas within the same business, and only 21% identified that AI adoption was higher than other areas.
Other key findings from the Wolters Kluwer survey include:
- 45% of survey respondents identified training in AI skills and tools as the greatest positive impact on increasing AI adoption and 84% would consider AI skills as important when recruiting for their internal audit function.
- 27% of respondents identified access to dedicated AI-powered internal audit technologies as the key driver behind AI adoption, while 15% cited the need for robust business-wide governance and 13% highlighted the importance of internal audit leadership setting an example for AI adoption.
- Looking at the key advantages of AI adoption, 54% of respondents reported that AI will drive efficiency and productivity gains in the next 12 months for internal auditors.
- 24% shared that AI will free up auditors to focus on higher-value strategic activities and 13% expect AI to increase accuracy and reduce human error.
“This survey underscores the growing importance of AI in internal audit and the need for businesses to invest in AI training and technologies to drive further adoption and realize the benefits of this transformative technology,” Wolters Kluwer said.
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