Diligent Automates Internal Audit with AI, Aims to Bridge Boardroom Visibility Gap

Event summary

  • Diligent launched AuditAI at the IIA GAM 2026 conference.
  • AuditAI integrates with Diligent Boards' Smart Prep 360 and builds on existing ACL AI capabilities.
  • Early adopters of AuditAI have seen a 70% reduction in audit administration time, cutting cycles from 120 to 35 hours.
  • Smart Prep 360 identifies anomalies in board materials, which AuditAI then translates into actionable audit tasks.

The big picture

Diligent's AuditAI addresses a growing pressure on internal audit functions to expand scope and provide more proactive risk assurance while facing headcount constraints. The integration with Smart Prep 360 highlights a broader trend toward closing the feedback loop between board oversight and operational risk management, particularly in the wake of recent corporate governance failures. This move positions Diligent to capitalize on the increasing demand for AI-powered GRC solutions, a market estimated to reach billions in the coming years.

What we're watching

Adoption Rate
The success of AuditAI hinges on internal audit departments’ willingness to adopt agentic AI, which may require significant training and process re-engineering.
Integration Depth
Diligent’s ability to demonstrate seamless integration between AuditAI, Smart Prep 360, and the broader Diligent One Platform will be crucial for driving user adoption and justifying the investment.
Competitive Response
Other GRC software providers will likely accelerate their AI development efforts in response to Diligent’s AuditAI, potentially leading to a price war or feature parity.