The Financial Audit Authority (FAA) in Dubai will organise the third edition of the Foreseeing Government Audit Future Conference on 28 and 29 October 2026, bringing together government officials, audit professionals, governance experts and technology specialists to examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the future of financial oversight.
Held under the theme “Smart Audit,” the conference will focus on the changing role of government audit as advances in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and digital technologies transform the way institutions manage risk, governance and accountability.
The event forms part of FAA’s efforts to promote the exchange of expertise and leading practices while supporting the development of audit systems capable of responding to an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving government environment.
As technology becomes more deeply integrated into public-sector operations, the Authority said financial audit must move beyond traditional verification and compliance functions towards a more proactive approach that identifies emerging risks, generates actionable insights and supports more informed decision-making.
This evolution is also expected to help government entities strengthen institutional performance while reinforcing integrity, transparency and accountability.
Abdulrahman Al Hareb, Director General of the Financial Audit Authority, said governments are undergoing transformation at an unprecedented pace, creating new risks while expanding the opportunities available through technology.
He said the future of government audit depends on the ability to keep pace with these changes while anticipating new challenges and using technology and specialised expertise to protect public funds, strengthen integrity and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government performance.
Al Hareb said the conference will provide a platform for experts and decision-makers to examine the major issues expected to shape financial audit and oversight in the coming years.
He added that discussions will help participants develop a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with new technologies while supporting the development of future-ready audit capabilities.
The conference will place particular emphasis on the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and auditing.
Discussions will examine how AI can be used to strengthen audit tools, methodologies, data analysis and risk assessment, while also considering the governance and oversight frameworks needed to evaluate the use of AI systems themselves.
Key sessions will include “Cyber Financial Auditing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” and “IA in the Age of AI.”
Other topics on the agenda include “Risks and Governance of Emerging Technologies,” “AI and the Future of Audit: Modernizing Internal Audit for a Digital Government Era,” “AI in Internal Audit: Use Cases,” and “Auditing AI: From Risk to Confidence.”
The programme will also explore the wider contribution of auditing to institutional performance and governance.
Sessions will cover strategic planning and innovation within internal audit, the impact of tax laws on private companies and the FAA Data Science Journey, highlighting how data-driven approaches can contribute to stronger oversight and more effective decision-making.
The conference will also focus on the changing skills required of auditors as the profession becomes increasingly influenced by technology.
FAA said future audit professionals will need expertise not only in traditional financial auditing but also in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, risk analysis and performance assessment.
A preparatory programme will take place on 28 October, featuring specialised workshops and sessions on enhancing government entities’ financial closing and reporting practices as well as challenges in external auditing and improving audit quality.
The programme will also include discussions on strengthening cooperation between audit and oversight bodies and internal audit directors across government and non-government sectors.
By bringing local and international expertise together, FAA aims to strengthen knowledge exchange, encourage the adoption of leading practices and support the development of a more integrated and future-ready audit ecosystem.
The initiative also reflects Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen governance, institutional excellence and sustainable government performance through innovation, accountability and effective financial oversight.
