In the race for efficiency, many audit firms have begun integrating generative artificial intelligence tools into their daily operations. However, using open or commercial models like ChatGPT raises a critical dilemma: where do your data end and the machine’s training begin?

For an auditor, confidentiality is not a suggestion, it is an ethical and legal mandate. Using platforms that do not guarantee information privacy can pose an unacceptable risk to a firm’s reputation and regulatory compliance.

The risk of publicly trained models

The main issue with free or basic commercial versions of large language models (LLMs) is that input data can be used to improve the algorithm. When an auditor pastes a finding or sensitive evidence into an open chat, that information may be processed by the model.

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has already published guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence and compliance with the GDPR, emphasizing the importance of transparency and control over who accesses information. In an auditing environment, losing sovereignty over a technical datum can result in an unintentional but critical security breach.

Data sovereignty: the difference between “open” and “private”

Unlike generic tools, a professional platform like Comply is built on the principle of Privacy by Design. The key is not just using AI, but how that AI is deployed:

• Private instances: Your audit data is processed in isolated environments.

• No retraining: Information entered into the platform is not used to train global models. What happens in your project stays in your project.

• Access control: Unlike a shared ChatGPT account, a dedicated platform allows managing specific permissions (who can see what), which is essential for complying with the integrity principle of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Securing client trust

AI security is not just a technical matter; it is the foundation of client trust. When presenting an audit, the client must be certain that their sensitive information (financial, process, or personnel data) has been handled with the same security guarantees as a banking infrastructure.

Using professional tools that ensure information sovereignty allows firms to innovate without fear. It is not about choosing between speed and security, but about adopting technologies that understand that, in the compliance world, an uncontrolled datum is a risk no one can afford.