3rd International Conference on Auditing and Artificial Intelligence - 2026
September 2nd – 4th, 2026 University of Duisburg-Essen in Duisburg, Germany
About the Conference
The 3rd International Conference on Auditing and Artificial Intelligence invites scholars, researchers, and industry experts (in the fields of: artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, accounting information systems (AIS), accounting, and auditing) from across the globe to engage in a thought-provoking exchange on the intersection of AI and auditing. As AI technologies continue to advance, their integration into auditing practices is transforming the profession, introducing both unique opportunities and new challenges. The conference organizers seek original research that not only explores AI’s impact on audit methodologies but also examines its real-world adoption, regulatory implications, opportunities, and risks.
Registration
The registration portal is now accessible here.
You must first create a user account and then complete the registration process.
We kindly ask you to read the emails you receive carefully. Your registration is only valid once you have received a confirmation email.
Also note that user accounts from last year have been deactivated. We kindly ask you to create a new account.
Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Each ticket is valid for one attendee and cannot be shared. The conference fee includes meals and beverages (as indicated in the conference program) for all conference days.
A cancellation fee, as indicated on the registration page, will apply in case of cancellation.
Dates and Deadlines
| Submission: | July 1st, 2026 11:59PM EST (early submission is encouraged) |
| Notification: | July 16th, 2026 |
| Early Bird Reception: | September 2nd, 2026 |
| Main Conference | September 3rd and 4th, 2026 |
Speakers
Information about the speakers and the conference program will be updated continuously. Please note that this is a preliminary version.
Prof. David A. Wood - Brigham Young University (BYU)
David is passionate about understanding new technologies and implementing them into the curriculum of Brigham Young University, where he works as the Glenn D. Ardis professor of accounting. David received his Ph.D. at Indiana University and his BS and MAcc degrees at Brigham Young University. At BYU, David teaches accounting data analytics and accounting information systems.
David has published over 200 articles in a combination of respected academic and practitioner journals, monographs, books, and cases, including a recently released book on AI titled, “Rewiring your Mind for AI: How to Think, Work, and Thrive in the Age of Intelligence” and the market-leading Accounting Information Systems textbook. He has been awarded more than 30 awards for teaching, research, and service contributions. David is a current or past editor at five journals and editorial board member for nine journals.
David has developed numerous resources for academia and practice. For the academy, he is the founder of https://experience.eyarc.site/ and https://www.techhub.training websites, which provide free resources to thousands of students throughout the world, and https://byuaccounting.net/, which ranks accounting programs. For practice, he is a founder of a free generative AI governance framework (see http://genai.global/), and of two different companies that use AI technology to help train professionals and enhance the accounting review process (http://skillabyte.com/ and https://hiddenhawkai.com/). He continues to develop cutting-edge educational content, conduct practice-relevant research, and provide consulting services throughout the world.
Lucia Wind – Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO)
Lucia Wind is a leading expert in internal auditing and governance, renowned for her work on risk management frameworks and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in compliance processes. Currently serving as a senior audit professional with extensive experience in multinational corporations, she excels in bridging regulatory requirements with innovative tech solutions. Her thought leadership in continuous auditing and data-driven assurance provides critical insights for organizations navigating digital transformation. With a strong academic background and practical expertise, she continues to shape best practices in the evolving field of AI-enhanced auditing.
Egemen Lipinski - Uniper SE
As SVP Audit Operations, HSSE and Sustainability at Uniper SE, Egemen Lipinski is responsible for overseeing critical audits of power plants, asset projects, and sustainability initiatives. He is also a driving force behind the integration of Artificial Intelligence into Internal Audit - redefining how audit teams operate, communicate, and deliver value. He holds a Diplomkaufmann degree from the University of Mannheim.
Prof. Scott Emett - Arizona State University (ASU)
Scott Emett is an associate professor at Arizona State University. His research examines how producers and consumers of financial disclosures make judgments and decisions, focusing on how technological disruptions shape those judgments and decisions. He strives to conduct research that offers valuable insights for practitioners in the field, bridging the gap between academic research and practical application. His research has been published in several top accounting journals, including Journal of Accounting and Economics; The Accounting Review; Contemporary Accounting Research; Accounting, Organizations, and Society; Review of Accounting Studies; and Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, among others. Professor Emett has won multiple prestigious awards, including the 2020 AAA Innovation in Accounting Education Award, the 2021 AAA Innovation in Auditing and Assurance Education Award, and the 2023 Arizona Society of CPAs Excellence in Teaching Award.
Prof. Dr. Meike Ramon – Bern University
Prof. Dr. Meike Ramon is an internationally recognized expert in the field of cognitive neuroscience and specializes in research on “super-recognizers.” At Bern University of Applied Sciences, she investigates the biological foundations of exceptional facial recognition, thereby bridging the gap between academic research and practical application. Her work has garnered worldwide attention, particularly through her close collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as Europol to improve public safety. In doing so, she is passionately committed to the ethical and scientifically sound use of recognition technologies.
Patrick Beyer – Deutsche Telekom AG
Patrick Beyer is the Vice President Advanced IT & Technology Audits at Deutsche Telekom AG. He is responsible for all IT, Network Technology, and Security audits across the Telekom Group, leading a team of 30 auditors in Germany and the national companies. His role also includes participation in the audit committees of various Telekom entities and key account management for the Board members of T-Systems and Technology & Innovation. In addition, he is driving the digital transformation of auditing through AI, agile methods, data analytics, and standardized global audit plans.
Prior to his current role, Patrick held various executive positions within operational business units of Deutsche Telekom and T-Systems, including Vice President Global Business Operations, Vice President IT Portfolio Strategy, and Head of Strategic Commercial Steering. His responsibilities spanned strategic transformation, financial steering, portfolio management, and organizational restructuring—often with large international teams and a strong focus on cost efficiency and performance improvement.
Dr. Ilias Tsimpoulis – Aegis Intelligence
Dr. Ilias Tsimpoulis is a renowned physician, executive, and expert in digital health and artificial intelligence. Former CEO of Doctolib Germany, he now serves as Managing Director at Aegis Intelligence in Nuremberg, helping clinics harness AI while ensuring EU AI Act compliance. His unique blend of medical expertise, executive leadership, and deep knowledge of AI governance makes him a pivotal voice at the intersection of technology, healthcare regulation, and innovative auditing practices.
Prof. Sergeja Slapnicar – University of Queensland
Prof. Sergeja Slapničar is an associate professor of accounting at the University of Queensland and an internationally recognized expert in audit, governance, and risk management. Her current research focuses in particular on cyber risk, governance, and assurance, as well as the impact of new technologies on accounting and auditing. She also brings extensive practical and board experience to her role and has been actively involved in teaching, research, and the professional development of the accounting profession for many years.
Dr. Björn Nill – Mercedes-Benz AG
Björn Nill is a seasoned IT auditor and cybersecurity expert at Mercedes-Benz AG. He specializes in digital transformation, risk management, and the integration of artificial intelligence in automotive processes. His expertise bridges technical IT security with strategic governance, providing practical insights from a leading global mobility company. With years of hands-on experience in high-stakes environments, he drives innovative solutions that ensure robust data protection and compliance in complex, AI-driven ecosystems.
Alexander Rühle – Zapliance
Alexander Rühle, Founder and Managing Director of zapliance, leads a pioneer in innovative GRC software solutions. With deep expertise in audit automation, data analytics, and AI-driven risk management, he has revolutionized continuous controls monitoring and process mining for organizations worldwide. His visionary leadership positions zapliance as a key player in modern internal auditing, delivering practical tools that enhance compliance efficiency and decision-making in complex regulatory environments.
Conference 2025 – Recap
The 2nd International Conference on Auditing and Artificial Intelligence, hosted by the Chair of Internal Auditing at the University of Duisburg‑Essen, brought together leading academics and practitioners from around the world to discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence in auditing.
The conference provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on how AI is transforming auditing practice and research. Presentations and discussions addressed a broad range of topics, including human–AI collaboration, ethical implications, and emerging applications of AI in auditing. Several contributions also highlighted practical use cases from organizations such as Meta, Deutsche Telekom, Volkswagen, Uniper, and Deutsche Bahn, illustrating how AI technologies are already being implemented in real-world audit environments.
The program featured an international group of distinguished speakers (in order of the agenda), including Pedro José Marrón, Tobias Machus, Judith Künneke, Egemen Hartmut Lipinski, Scott Emett, Miklos Vasarhelyi, Hiromu (Kit) Kitamura, David A. Wood, Tawei (David) W., Arina Hranovska, Hamid Vakilzadeh, Andreas Busan, Arno Bönner, Badal Patel, Steffen Eckardt, Uday Murthy, Dave Watson, Yutaka Oiwa, Joy Gray, Noah Urban, Jette Fabian, Quinn Swanquist, Jens Düngen, Patrick Beyer, Jan Grüne, and Thomas Berger. Their contributions highlighted the increasing importance of collaboration between research and practice in shaping the future of the auditing profession.
The conference was supported by Deloitte, PwC, EY, Protiviti, and the DIIR – Deutsches Institut für Interne Revision e.V. Additional support was provided by DextraData GmbH, which sponsored the conference’s Best Paper Awards. These awards were presented to Joy Gray and Scott Emett in recognition of their outstanding research contributions.
A key takeaway from the conference discussions was that artificial intelligence is already reshaping the auditing landscape. Beyond enabling new analytical approaches and digital applications, AI also challenges traditional assumptions about the role of human auditors. Several research contributions suggested that in certain contexts AI systems may outperform human–AI collaboration, raising important questions about the future development of skills and professional roles in auditing. At the same time, many discussions emphasized that the central challenge lies not in replacement but in adaptation: developing new competencies, rethinking effective forms of human–AI collaboration, and preparing both current and future auditors for an evolving professional environment.
Hotel Information and Venue
Please note that accommodation is in addition to the conference registration fee and should be paid in accordance with the payment terms of the respective hotel. No special Conference Rate available. Please arrange a hotel reservation yourself and make sure to book as early as possible as we cannot guarantee that additional rooms are available once the hotels are fully booked.
Wyndham Hotel Duisburger Hof | Intercity Hotel Duisburg Mercatorstrasse 57 47051 Duisburg, Germany Website: https://www.intercityhotel.com/duisburg Reservations by Telephone: +49 203 607160 |