Audit Committees Shift Focus to AI Governance and Cybersecurity as Risks Evolve
Event summary
- Deloitte and the Center for Audit Quality released the fifth edition of their 'Audit Committee Practices Report' on September 22, 2026.
- 54% of audit committee members reported increased focus on emerging risks over the past year.
- 75% of respondents identified AI governance as a top three priority, up from 35% last year.
- Only 56% of audit committees feel confident in their ability to oversee AI governance effectively.
- Cybersecurity remains a top three priority for 82% of audit committees, though rapid changes require sustained attention.
The big picture
Audit committees are expanding their oversight agendas to address fast-moving risks, particularly in AI governance and cybersecurity. The survey highlights a strategic shift toward enterprise risk management as the top priority, reflecting broader industry trends toward digital transformation and regulatory scrutiny. The gap between recognizing AI governance as critical and feeling equipped to manage it suggests a growing need for specialized expertise in audit committee compositions.
What we're watching
- AI Governance Gap
- How audit committees will bridge the gap between recognizing AI governance as a priority and building the confidence to oversee it effectively.
- Cybersecurity Agility
- Whether audit committees can maintain oversight agility as cybersecurity risks continue to evolve rapidly.
- Emerging Risk Focus
- The pace at which audit committees will adapt their oversight frameworks to address the growing complexity of emerging risks.