Diligent unveils ACL AI Studio to simplify GRC data analysis
Diligent has announced the launch of ACL AI Studio, a tool incorporating advanced analytics to simplify governance, risk and compliance (GRC) data analysis for audit, risk and compliance teams.
ACL AI Studio is now available as part of the Diligent One Platform, expanding the suite's capabilities by enabling professionals to conduct complex data analyses without requiring specialist technical skills. According to the company, the new solution is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and applications, removing hurdles often associated with analytics adoption within GRC programmes.
Workflow integration
ACL AI Studio draws on the capabilities of Diligent's existing ACL product line, utilising artificial intelligence to allow users to engage with data via a natural language interface.
This interface is intended to enable team members to carry out queries and analysis using plain language rather than programming or scripting, thus reducing the need for coding expertise across audit and GRC departments.
The system supports natural language analysis, AI-driven test recommendations, and operates on data derived from existing ACL analytics scripts.
Features are focused on providing transparency, offering full traceability through logging and exportable results, which aim to reduce risks linked with automated data interpretation, such as AI hallucinations.
Users can run AI-suggested tests, link findings directly to audits, identify possible policy breaches and unusual financial activity, as well as update risk scoring and automate workflow triggers within their organisations. The platform is able to process millions of records in real time, enabling comprehensive population-level review rather than analysis of small samples.
User experience
Paul Chaney, Chief Executive Officer of Auditopia and KOINO IT Solutions, commented on his experience using the new offering:
"Diligent hit the mark with ACL AI Studio. As a 35-year ACL Analytics user, this new product enhances our capabilities by combining trusted ACL software with the newest technologies. ACL AI Studio is user-friendly, which enables our team to work more efficiently as we automate audit and GRC processes, giving our customers valuable insights from their data."
The tool features AI persona-based recommendations, with analytics tailored to a range of GRC roles, including internal audit, SOX, compliance and risk management.
Diligent states that this results in a faster return on investment and maintains high accuracy for users based on their individual governance responsibilities.
The platform also prioritises support for control testing, exception handling, audit trails and ongoing policy compliance.
Additional capabilities
Beyond ACL AI Studio, Diligent has introduced two additional features: AI Control Mapping and AI Control Generation. Both are designed to further streamline compliance processes and lower the costs associated with control management.
According to the company, these updates collectively aim to enhance the scalability and intelligence of GRC functions for organisations managing complex regulatory environments.
Market focus
Adam Bailey, General Manager, Platform, at Diligent, outlined the intended impact of the new system:
"ACL AI Studio is a game-changer for GRC professionals. Non-technical users can now leverage AI to detect issues and drive meaningful results, ensuring that your organisation's GRC processes are more efficient and accurate than ever before. In a market dominated by general-purpose analytics tools, ACL AI Studio is the only specialised solution for GRC and is designed to help organisations maintain the highest standards of compliance and governance."
Diligent's launch of ACL AI Studio is part of its wider efforts to expand AI-driven functionality within its GRC portfolio, following the recent introduction of products such as GovernAI and AI Risk Essentials.
