Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: KPMG puts thousands of dollars fine on partner for using AI to pass AI test; says: It’s a very hard thing to get… in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
A partner at KPMG Australia has been slapped with a A$10,000 (roughly $7,000) fine after using AI tools to cheat on an internal training course that was, ironically enough, about AI itself. The partner, who hasn’t been named, uploaded training materials into an AI platform to generate answers for the exam, according to a report by the Financial Times. He was also made to retake the test.But he wasn’t the only one cutting corners. KPMG confirmed that more than two dozen staff at its Australian arm have been caught using AI to game internal exams since July this financial year. The firm said it used its own AI detection tools to flag the cheating.
Accounting firms can’t seem to shake their cheating problem
This isn’t exactly new territory for KPMG Australia. Back in 2021, the firm was fined A$615,000 after more than 1,100 partners were found sharing answers on tests meant to assess skill and integrity. AI has simply given the old problem a shiny new upgrade.The incident came up during an Australian Senate inquiry into industry governance last week. Greens senator Barbara Pocock called the fine “extremely disappointing” and didn’t hold back. “We’ve got a toothless system where con artists get away with so much,” she told the parliamentary committee.KPMG Australia CEO Andrew Yates acknowledged the challenge. “It’s a very hard thing to get on top of given how quickly society has embraced it,” he said, adding that the firm is working to strengthen its approach.
AI cheating is fast becoming an industry-wide headache
KPMG isn’t alone in this mess. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the world’s largest accounting body, scrapped remote exams late last year because its safeguards simply couldn’t keep pace with AI-powered cheating.Meanwhile, rival Deloitte Australia had to refund part of its fee for a government report that turned out to be riddled with AI hallucinations—including fabricated court quotes and made-up academic research.KPMG said it will now track and publicly report AI misuse numbers alongside its annual results.