Financial Audit Authority to Host Third Edition of ‘Foreseeing Government Audit Future Conference’
Dubai's Financial Audit Authority announces the third edition of its prestigious conference, bringing together leading audit professionals to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in government oversight.
The Financial Audit Authority in Dubai has announced the third edition of the ‘Foreseeing Government Audit Future Conference’, scheduled for 28 and 29 October 2026. Themed around ‘Smart Audit’, the event will convene senior officials, recognised experts and specialists in audit, oversight and governance to advance professional knowledge and examine the evolving landscape of public sector auditing.
The conference emerges at a critical juncture for the audit profession. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity challenges and the proliferation of emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping how governments operate and how oversight functions must adapt. Simultaneously, evolving governance requirements and sustainability imperatives demand that audit practice evolve beyond traditional compliance verification towards a more anticipatory, insight-driven model.
Abdulrahman Al Hareb, Director General of the Financial Audit Authority, articulated this vision: “Governments today are transforming at an unprecedented pace. As they do, the nature of risks is changing, the possibilities offered by technology are expanding, and the requirements of governance and accountability are shifting alongside them.” He emphasised that the Authority’s mission centres on strengthening integrity, safeguarding public funds and enhancing governmental efficiency through forward-thinking audit capabilities.
The conference programme explores two complementary dimensions of artificial intelligence in auditing: leveraging AI to enhance audit methodologies and analytical capabilities, whilst simultaneously establishing robust governance frameworks to assess and build confidence in AI applications themselves. Featured sessions include ‘Cyber Financial Auditing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’, ‘Risks and Governance of Emerging Technologies’, ‘AI and the Future of Audit: Modernizing Internal Audit for a Digital Government Era’, and ‘Auditing AI: From Risk to Confidence’.
Beyond technological transformation, the conference addresses audit’s expanding role in institutional performance and governance. Dedicated sessions will examine strategic planning and innovation within internal audit functions, tax law implications for private enterprises, and the Financial Audit Authority’s own data science initiatives. These topics reflect a broader commitment to positioning audit as a strategic asset that delivers value through enhanced risk management, superior decision-making and measurable performance improvements.
The conference recognises that the profession itself requires substantial investment in human capability. As audit practice increasingly demands expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and performance analysis, professional development becomes essential to maintaining standards and delivering excellence.
A preparatory day on 28 October will feature specialised workshops addressing government financial reporting practices, external audit quality enhancement, and partnership development with internal audit directors across both governmental and non-governmental sectors. This integrated approach reinforces the Financial Audit Authority’s vision of strengthening trust, accountability and integrity whilst contributing to institutional excellence and sustainable government performance across the emirate.
Source: WAM