The Secretariat General of the Shura Council, represented by the Information and Statistics Department, organised this morning (Wednesday), in cooperation with the State Audit Institution, an introductory lecture entitled “Artificial Intelligence in Administrative and Financial Auditing.” The lecture was delivered by a specialist from the Directorate General of Integrity and Anti-Corruption at the State Audit Institution, as part of the Secretariat General’s efforts to enhance knowledge of emerging technologies, strengthen institutional capabilities, and support digital transformation in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The lecture aimed to familiarise Secretariat General staff with the key applications of artificial intelligence in administrative and financial auditing, highlight the latest international standards and best practices, and demonstrate the role of advanced technologies in improving institutional performance, enhancing the efficiency of audit processes, strengthening governance and transparency, and supporting data-driven decision-making.
The presentation also addressed the transformation of internal auditing in the era of big data, highlighting the shift from traditional auditing methods to intelligent audit systems based on comprehensive data analytics, risk prediction, process automation, and real-time analytical insights that support auditors in carrying out their responsibilities. It further reviewed the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic direction in the field of artificial intelligence, relevant national initiatives, and the latest international standards and intelligent auditing tools, together with their applications in data analytics, risk detection, and improving the quality of audit outcomes.
In addition, the lecture presented practical examples of the use of artificial intelligence in auditing government projects and outlined the anticipated benefits of intelligent auditing, particularly enhancing the comprehensiveness of audit examinations, enabling the early detection of irregularities, and allowing auditors to focus on priority issues. It also emphasised that artificial intelligence serves as a decision-support tool for auditors, while professional judgement remains the responsibility of the human auditor.
The lecture further reviewed the requirements for transitioning to intelligent auditing, the implementation roadmap for this transformation, and the importance of developing national competencies through specialised professional training programmes and certifications.
The lecture forms part of the Secretariat General’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capabilities of its employees, foster a culture of innovation, and expand the effective use of advanced technologies, thereby contributing to the development of the workplace, enhancing institutional performance, and improving the efficiency of the Secretariat General’s operational framework in support of the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.