The speed of artificial intelligence adoption is forcing a strategic reckoning for enterprise information technology and risk functions. For internal audit leaders, this means abandoning reactive reporting in favor of predictive intelligence that complements security and drives business value.

To keep up with demands, thought leaders are turning to AI for insight that spots risk early. But the shift from reactive checks to earlier detection only works if companies tackle the basics first, according to Jan Murry (pictured, left), director of internal audit at General Electric Aerospace.

GE Aerospace’s Jan Murry and AuditBoard’s April Crichlow talk with theCUBE about the evolution of internal audit leaders and the path forward in the age of AI.

“The questions we’re asking are: How do we upskill our people — including senior leaders and the board — and how do we stop running in silos?” Murry said. “Risk management has been conducted that way for a long time.”

Murry joined April Crichlow (right), chief marketing officer at AuditBoard Inc., spoke with theCUBE’s Rob Strechay and Rebecca Knight at Audit & Beyond during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how a combination of geopolitics, the pace of technological change and the daily challenges internal audit teams face in accelerating the uptake of AI. (* Disclosure below.)

Internal audit leaders drive governance while prioritizing human insight

While the potential for analysis automation and the rapid processing of data using AI is immense, the expertise and judgment of experienced IT decision-makers remains the ultimate differentiator. But the human element is a non-negotiable, according to Crichlow.

“We’re really finding that while AI can automate, analyze [and] process faster than any human ever could,” she said. “That human intelligence and the leader’s judgment — their expertise, their context — is something that can never be replaced, and we’re seeing a lot of companies lean into that more.”

To keep that human element means acknowledging that mentorship isn’t a side task; it’s the operating model for audit leaders navigating AI and constant change. Culture scales faster when experienced leaders actively pull the next wave forward, Murry explained.

“You got to lift as you climb. There’s no better way to do it and you can’t wait till you get to the top,” Murry said. “Really grabbing those entry-level career employees and helping support them and sharing your experiences and your stories. But I think regardless of the industry, especially in tech, that’s incredibly important just to share and have that open dialogue — transparency, humility — to help bring others along.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of Audit & Beyond:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the Audit & Beyond event. Neither AuditBoard, the sponsor of theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE