BRICS SAIs Seminar Discusses the Use of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Audits

The Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) took part in a seminar on Digital Transformation and Big Data Analytics in Auditing, organized by the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of the United Arab Emirates, under Brazil¿s presidency of BRICS SAIs 2025. The online event, held on August 27, brought together representatives from the member countries SAIs and invited participants to discuss trends, challenges, and best practices in the use of digital technologies and large-scale data analytics in government auditing.

Representing the TCU, Deputy Head of the Audit Department for the Integration of Data, Methods and Technologies for Oversight (AudDigital), Aloisio Dourado, delivered the lecture ¿The Use of Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Public Sector Audits¿. He highlighted the Court of Accounts¿ progress in building a data-driven audit strategy, with LabContas as the central infrastructure, integrating more than 180 government databases and enabling large-scale analyses.

According to Dourado, this approach enhances the capacity to identify risk patterns and supports more informed decision-making. He also emphasized the growing use of artificial intelligence, including generative tools, which expand oversight possibilities. However, he cautioned against associated risks such as breaches of confidentiality and the dissemination of misinformation, noting that the TCU is already developing solutions to mitigate these challenges.

The panel also featured presentations from the SAIs of China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, who shared their experiences on topics such as the digital transformation of audit processes; building technological infrastructure for digital audits; using data-based solutions for decision-making; and fostering partnerships and auditor training in data science and digital governance.

In the discussion sessions, participants stressed the need to strengthen digital audit infrastructure with investments in information security and system integration, in addition to strategies for capacity-building and international partnerships to reduce technical barriers. They also underlined the role of Supreme Audit Institutions in digital governance and in promoting greater transparency and accountability in increasingly digital governments.

At the close of the meeting, participants reaffirmed the importance of expanding technical cooperation among BRICS SAIs, including through exchange programs that foster knowledge sharing among countries.

International Cooperation in Focus

The event is part of the series of activities led by the TCU during Brazil¿s presidency of BRICS SAIs in 2025, aimed at strengthening international cooperation on strategic external oversight issues.

According to the Head of TCU's Department of International Relations, Hugo Chudyson, the Court¿s participation reaffirms its leadership on the global stage. ¿Digital transformation is one of the key pillars of modernizing government auditing. Sharing experiences among BRICS members helps ensure that our institutions are prepared to audit digital governments and increasingly data-driven societies,¿ he stated.

Other technical seminars will be held throughout the year, organized by the various SAIs that make up BRICS SAIs, addressing topics such as technological innovation and sustainability.