The last time I got audited, I didn’t panic once.
AI had already done 90% of the work — here’s exactly how.

Audits used to fill me with dread. No matter how prepared I felt, there was always a last-minute scramble to find files, clarify procedures, or explain gaps. This year was different — not because the audit got easier, but because I used AI to prepare. With the right setup, tools like NotebookLM or Copilot Notebook can do the heavy lifting before, during, and after your audit. Here's how I used a simple 5-step system to run the calmest (and most efficient) audit of my career.

Everyone’s talking about AI — but hardly anyone is showing how to actually use it in your day job. That’s what I’m here to do. Every week, I share practical AI use cases for sustainability professionals — not just theory, but tools you can apply today.

This week’s use case is for sustainability and ESG managers, whether you're in a corporate team or an SME. If you’re preparing for a verification or assurance audit, this is for you.

Because let’s be real — these audits are getting more rigorous. And as the auditee, using AI isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Not just any AI tool, but the right one: NotebookLM if you're on Google, or Copilot Notebook if you're in the Microsoft ecosystem.

This approach will save you time, reduce stress, and help future-proof your workflow.

Prefer watching? You’ll probably enjoy the YouTube version of this even more.

But if you're a reader — stick with me. By the end, you’ll walk away with a clear, usable AI playbook for your next audit.

Let’s be clear — this isn’t future talk.

AI is already reshaping the way audits are done, and not just in experimental pilots. PwC expects fully AI-enabled audits by 2026.

EY’s audit quality improved dramatically — their inspection finding rate dropped from 28% to below 10% after a $1 billion investment in AI and tech.

Regulators are paying attention too. The UK’s Financial Reporting Council released landmark guidance on AI in audits in June 2025 — a strong signal that the shift is real, and it's being taken seriously at every level.

In practice, AI is delivering measurable gains: 20–40% productivity boosts in typical use cases, with some pilots reporting up to 70% time savings.

So yes — AI is coming for audits.
Maybe not sustainability audit right now but this will be next.

Let’s be honest — most of us aren’t ready.
And it’s not because the tech isn’t good enough.

The real blockers are:

1️⃣ Lack of Expertise
Most professionals simply don’t know how to use AI effectively yet. This takes time. What you should do? You better start learning how to use AI and invest some time into it.

2️⃣ Messy, Incomplete Data
AI can organize chaos, but first need some instructions. If your audit files are scattered, unlabeled, or version-confused, even the best tool won’t help much. Smart outputs require clean inputs.

3️⃣ Privacy and Security Concerns
Many people hesitate to upload sensitive SOPs or evidence files to AI tools — and that’s fair. But the solution isn’t avoidance. It’s knowing your internal security setup and what tools can be used.

Bottom line: AI isn’t the problem — we are.
But that’s actually good news. Because these are fixable problems.

Let’s make it real. Here’s exactly how you can use AI to prepare for — and breeze through — a GHG verification audit.

The main AI tool that helped me achieve a smooth, low-stress audit was NotebookLM (Google), but if you're in a Microsoft ecosystem, Copilot Notebook works similarly well. As mentioned earlier, these are both designed with enterprise security in mind — so you can use them confidently in a corporate setting.

Here’s how to apply it in five clear steps:

You have to train your AI assistant — and that starts with uploading the right documents.

This doesn’t mean dumping your entire audit folder. Focus on what defines your audit boundaries and supports your assertions. Keep it lean — ideally under 30 documents (the NotebookLM cap is currently 50). These should include:

You can also add key internal pages (like your sustainability intranet) using internet sources.

Why this matters: These documents become your AI’s knowledge base. The more focused and relevant they are, the better the answers — with direct citations — your AI will give. Less noise, more precision.

You already know what most auditors ask — so why not run a dry run with your AI?

Ask your notebook questions like:

If you spot a gap — say a missing explanation or doc — you can quickly fix it.

You can even add a note or full page to your notebook to explain the missing info. This keeps your AI assistant in the loop and reduces surprises during the actual audit.

This is the step most people skip — and it’s a huge opportunity.

Use the notebook to capture what the auditor says, what you said, and what issues came up. Over time, this builds a searchable audit memory that you can revisit anytime.

Doing a remote audit? Paste in the transcript. On-site visit? Summarize findings, observations, and conversations.

The better the context you give your AI, the better it can help you later — whether it's writing responses, prepping reports, or answering questions months (or years) later.

This is where it gets fun.

Instead of digging through folders while everyone waits awkwardly, you just ask:

This alone can turn a high-stress moment into a smooth, confident response.

No panic. No guessing. Just answers.

This is where most audits turn into a time sink — but with AI, it’s where you gain the most leverage.

After the audit, upload:

Then ask your notebook to:

Even better — when someone asks about this audit in 5 years, you won’t scramble. You’ll just open your notebook and ask: “What happened during the 2025 GHG audit?”

Was it perfect? No. But it was by far the smoothest audit I’ve ever been through.

✅ I still had to prep, but this time, I built a reusable digital asset — not just a one-off folder.
✅ I walked into the audit with confidence, not chaos — and stayed calm throughout.
✅Follow-up took half the time it usually does, with clearer summaries and faster reporting.

And the best part? I’ve now got a living audit companion — one that’s searchable, up-to-date, and ready for next year (or for any surprise requests in between).

For those who don’t know me — I started out as a chemical engineer before deciding to shift careers and step into the ESG field. Like many of you trying to land your first ESG role, the journey was tough. What made it harder was the lack of clear guidance — no blueprint, no roadmap on where to focus or how to build the right skills.

That’s exactly why I created the ESG Masterclass It’s designed to give you the know-how to land your first ESG role, plus the trusted sources you need to keep learning and growing in this fast-changing field.

Over 300 professionals have already joined, and the feedback has been fantastic. If you’re ready to take your ESG career to the next level, you can join now with a 50% discount.