Ethical challenges of AI in auditing : A study of Swedish audit professionals.

Sammanfattning

The research is to identify the ethical challenges auditors in Sweden face in the use of AI in auditing. The study draws on institutional theory frameworks using coercive, normative and mimetic pressures. The research was designed as a qualitative study using semi structured questionnaires using google form to collect data from big and small audit firms in Sweden. Participants included audit professionals, senior and junior staff with experience ranging from 3 to 26 years. In all three institutional pressures, auditors face ethical challenges. In coercive pressures, the main challenges were transparency, accountability and confidentiality. In the normative pressures, overreliance on AI and professional skepticism & judgement were also identified as main challenges. In mimetic pressure, overreliance on AI and reliability were also the main challenges. Practical recommendations from the participants were offered. This includes clear and more audit specific regulatory and professional guidance. Firm level governance. Developing proprietary AI tools. This will ensure that AI is used as a support tool. Progress in governing AI in Sweden audits need coordinated action from individual, audit firms, regulators and professional bodies.