Audit office adopts artificial intelligence to streamline operations

Auditor General Andreas Papakonstantinou announced the integration of artificial intelligence into the Audit Office's operations during a presentation to the Parliamentary Committee on Finance. This strategic shift aims to accelerate audit procedures, allow staff more time for on-site inspections, and improve the detection of "red flags" in complex financial data.

The proposed 2027 budget for the Audit Office is 12.06 million euros, marking a 7.2 percent increase of 0.81 million euros compared to the 2026 budget of 11.26 million euros. Personnel costs account for 82 percent of the budget, while 7.5 percent is allocated to consultancy services and 5 percent to software acquisition. This is the first budget submitted directly to the House of Representatives following recent legislative reforms.

Regarding performance, the office has submitted 31 reports and five memoranda so far this year. Officials aim to complete between 45 and 50 reports by the end of 2026. The new technological infrastructure is intended to ensure transparency, quality, and speed in all future auditing processes.