Enterprise services firm EY is integrating agentic artificial intelligence (AI) into its global audit operations, to reshape how audits are conducted across more than 150 countries and territories.
The rollout embeds a multi-agent AI framework into EY Canvas, the firm’s global audit platform, which processes more than 1.4 trillion lines of journal entry data annually. The platform supports 130,000 Assurance professionals working on 160,000 audit engagements worldwide.
The new system is designed to automate repetitive audit work, analyze risks faster, and provide auditors with continuously updated accounting and auditing guidance. EY said the AI capabilities are already being deployed globally following extensive testing and are expected to support all end-to-end audit activities by 2028.
For businesses, the change could mean less administrative work during audits, quicker risk identification, and faster access to audit findings. EY said human auditors will remain responsible for professional judgment and decision-making.
“Central to this transformation is how our people learn, adapt, and embrace these developments, enabling them to create greater value for clients while experiencing meaningful improvements in their work,” said Cyril Jasmin Valencia, assurance leader at SGV & Co. “As a result, we expect to achieve a higher level of efficiency, raise the standard of audit execution and build confidence through an improved audit experience.”
The initiative forms part of EY’s multibillion-dollar investment in audit quality, technology, and workforce development under its global “All in” strategy.
“The rapid growth of data, and the new complexities of assuring AI, demand that our people and technology evolve faster than ever,” said Janet Truncale, global chair and CEO, EY. “EY’s human-led, AI-powered audit of the future is a market-leading example of enterprise AI in action, delivering greater value, deeper insight and increased confidence for our clients and stakeholders, accelerated by our continued investment under the All in strategy.”
The technology is built on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Foundry, and Microsoft Fabric through EY’s long-standing alliance with Microsoft. EY said the updated audit framework also supports new assurance services covering AI governance, risk management, controls, and readiness assessments.
The launch comes as businesses increasingly adopt AI. According to a recent EY CEO survey, 97% of companies have either started or plan to undertake enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. EY is also training its global audit and technology risk workforce this year to prepare for the growing use of AI in assurance work.