The Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) joined the 8th Meeting of the INTOSAI Working Group on Big Data (WGBD) in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, from September 10 to 12. The gathering featured 44 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from across the globe. Among them, 18 presented case studies and shared insights into leveraging big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in government audits, including the TCU.

Minister Walton Alencar represented the TCU at the event. His participation highlights the Court’s commitment to integrating emerging technologies into its audit practices. Brazil, through its Court of Accounts, demonstrates its dedication to innovation and its leading role in the international scenario of government audits.

Rodrigo Hildebrand, Director of Data Analysis in Social Benefits at the Audit Department for Social Security, Welfare and Labour (AudBenefícios) shared the progress of the TCU-led research project, "The Application of Big Data in Social Security and Health Services," with the group.

The initial findings from a questionnaire distributed to SAIs were presented, providing insights into the stages, challenges, and contexts encountered by audit institutions as they adopt big data. The presentation underscored the potential for SAIs to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government audits by implementing advanced technologies.

The TCU also shared the methodology of its Continuous Monitoring of Benefits, demonstrating significant progress in the way audits are conducted, allowing for more effective and efficient oversight of social benefits.

The adoption of this approach reflects the Court’s dedication to leveraging advanced technologies to improve audit processes, thereby fostering transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.