Promoting AI in Audit Practice: New 'AI Study Group' Launched for Startup Auditors to Enhance Risk Management and Efficiency

The 'Venture Auditor Association' (Representative Director: Takuji Kurosaka, Location: Suita City, Osaka, Operated by Marco Polo LLC), the first organization in Japan to promote interaction and learning among full-time auditors of venture companies, and 'Naikan Meetup,' the first organization in Japan to facilitate interaction and information sharing among internal auditors of startups, have jointly established an 'AI Study Group' to learn about the use of generative AI in audit operations and risk management. The group will officially launch in April 2026, following its establishment on December 1, 2025.

The AI Study Group will hold regular study sessions on how to introduce AI into audit practices. It operates as an interactive system that accepts questions from participants at any time. The sessions are led by practitioners who are actually using generative AI in their audit work, allowing participants to gain practical, field-oriented knowledge. The goal is to help them strengthen risk management and improve operational efficiency within their respective companies.

Study sessions planned ahead of the official launch were so popular that they exceeded capacity within one day of recruitment, highlighting high demand. In an era where AI utilization is directly linked to corporate competitiveness, the group aims to foster a culture where auditors, as the 'guardians of risk management,' take the lead in research, thereby contributing to the value enhancement of related companies.

Background: Strong demand for learning. While generative AI is spreading rapidly, its use in business remains experimental. The Venture Auditor Association and Naikan Meetup found that sessions themed around audit and AI received the highest attention. Startups, operating in uncertain environments, need to manage risks while maximizing results. Therefore, the community of auditors decided to lead the research on how to effectively incorporate AI into audit tasks.

Features: 1. Curriculum led by practitioners. 2. Interactive learning support (on-demand viewing + 24/7 Q&A). 3. Daily 'Audit x Current Affairs' news delivered by AI. The first cohort (25 spots) was oversubscribed in one day, starting with 41 members. The second cohort (25 spots) was oversubscribed in two days, with 74 members expected to start.