The Tribune

For companies to operate ethically, comply with regulations and mitigate risks effectively, Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) strategies are vital. Companies now have a powerful tool to bolster their GRC efforts thanks to rapid artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances. Companies can enhance governance, risk management and compliance strategies through AI by streamlining processes, identifying patterns and making data-driven decisions. Yair Kuznitosov, a Forbes Councils member, asserts: "With the right safeguards in place, generative AI can help efficiently address the complexities inherent in GRC for use cases around regulations, policies and risks.”

This article will highlight four areas where the deployment of artificial intelligence could benefit GRC strategies.

Enhancing risk assessment and mitigation

Artificial intelligence can significantly improve processes for assessing risks and mitigating them. As a result of analysing historical data, machine-learning algorithms can identify patterns, detect anomalies and predict potential risks with greater accuracy than traditional approaches. AI-powered risk management systems can provide real-time risk assessments using diverse data sources such as financial records, market trends and customer feedback. The advantage of this is that companies can react swiftly to emerging risks, and take efficient measures to mitigate them based on data-driven decisions.

Strengthening fraud detection

Artificial intelligence can enhance fraud detection capabilities by identifying patterns and anomalies in large datasets. Machine-learning algorithms can make real-time user behaviour and transactional data monitoring possible. The use of AI can assist companies in preventing fraud, minimising losses and protecting assets more efficiently.

Improving regulatory compliance and compliance monitoring

Adhering to an ever-changing regulatory landscape is a significant challenge for companies. AI-powered systems can monitor regulatory changes, interpret complex compliance requirements and recommend necessary actions to ensure ongoing compliance. Additionally, AI can automate the generation of compliance reports and track adherence to regulatory deadlines, reducing the risk of non-compliance. Moreover, documents, contracts and communications can be continuously scanned using machine-learning algorithms to detect potential compliance violations, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention.

Facilitating predictive analytics

AI's ability to analyse large and diverse datasets enables companies to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. Firms can anticipate potential risks, and optimise compliance efforts, using predictive analytics. AI algorithms can identify compliance trends, assess the impact of regulatory changes and forecast potential compliance gaps. This enables companies to proactively address issues, allocate resources effectively and improve their overall compliance posture.

Companies can enhance governance, risk and compliance strategies by leveraging AI. Automating compliance monitoring, strengthening risk assessment, improving fraud detection, enhancing regulatory compliance and using predictive analytics are benefits that firms can achieve by integrating AI-powered systems. As a result of these capabilities, companies can reduce compliance-related risks, shape a proactive risk management culture and operate more efficiently. Despite this, however, AI-based GRC solutions should be deployed in a transparent, fair and ethical manner, complementing human judgment and expertise. By embracing AI, companies can navigate complex regulatory environments, manage risks proactively and develop robust governance and compliance initiatives.

• NB: About Derek Smith Jr

Derek Smith Jr. has been a governance, risk and compliance professional for more than 20 years. He has held positions at a TerraLex member law firm, a Wolfsburg Group member bank and a ‘big four’ accounting firm. Mr Smith is a certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS), and the compliance officer and money laundering reporting officer (MLRO) for CG Atlantic’s family of companies (member of Coralisle Group) for The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.