Beyond the Normal Audit—Enhance the Value of Audits with Analytics and AI

Summary

In this presentation, Yulen Cal discusses enhancing the value of food safety audits through analytics and AI. He emphasizes the importance of digitalization in the testing, inspection, and certification market, predicting a significant increase in digital tools. Yulen outlines the advantages of risk-based auditing, which allows for dynamic decision-making in constantly changing food supply environments. The presentation also highlights the development of a tailored analytics platform that facilitates anomaly detection, predictions of non-conformities, and effective audit planning. Ultimately, the goal is to empower auditors with data-driven insights for more efficient and effective audits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Yulen Cal emphasizes the significant impact of analytics and AI in enhancing the audit process in the food industry.
• 📊 Digitalization in the testing, inspection, and certification market is projected to increase by 35-45% over the next decade.
• 📈 Digital tools facilitate faster data collection and allow for more structured data management during audits.
• 🔍 Risk-based auditing offers advantages over traditional methods by enabling targeted audits based on identified risk factors.
• 💡 Analytics and AI provide real-time feedback during audits, making the process more dynamic and responsive.
• 🔑 Anomaly detection is a crucial feature of the analytics platform, identifying deviations from normal operations.
• ⚙️ The platform integrates various algorithms, including predictive analytics, to help audit managers make informed decisions.
• 📑 Text classification and natural language processing algorithms are employed to analyze unstructured audit data effectively.
• 🛠️ Data sharing among different user groups enhances the utility of insights derived from the analytics platform.
• 🌐 Augmented and virtual reality technologies are being explored to provide auditors with risk assessments in real-time during site inspections.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Yulen Cal's presentation?

Yulen Cal's presentation focuses on enhancing the auditing process in the food industry through the integration of analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

What significant change in the TIC market is highlighted in the presentation?

The presentation highlights a projected increase of 35% to 45% in digitalization tools within the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market over the next decade.

How does digitalization improve the audit process according to Yulen Cal?

Digitalization improves the audit process by enabling faster data collection, more structured data management, dynamic feedback during audits, and providing important information directly to auditors.

What are the benefits of risk-based auditing mentioned in the presentation?

Risk-based auditing allows for targeted audit planning, enabling auditors to determine whom to send, where to go, and what to audit based on dynamic risk factors, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective audits.

What does Yulen Cal mean by 'artificial intelligence' in the context of audits?

Yulen expresses skepticism about the term 'artificial intelligence,' suggesting that while the technology can assist in decision-making, it should not replace human intelligence. The focus is on providing auditors with timely and relevant information to make informed decisions.

What specific features does the analytics platform developed by Yulen's team offer?

The analytics platform offers features such as anomaly detection, predictions of non-conformities, text classification using natural language processing, and benchmarking capabilities to enhance the auditing process.

How does Yulen's platform address the challenge of unstructured data?

The platform incorporates tools to analyze unstructured data, allowing auditors to gain insights from free text documents and categorize them effectively for better understanding and decision-making.

What role does data sharing play in the auditing process as described in the presentation?

Data sharing is crucial in the auditing process, allowing different stakeholders, such as standard setters and certification bodies, to access tailored insights based on the same underlying data.

What potential future developments does Yulen foresee in the use of technology for audits?

Yulen acknowledges that while there are challenges ahead, the potential for technology to transform the auditing landscape is significant, with advancements expected in real-time data analytics and predictive insights.

What does Yulen suggest is a major goal of implementing analytics and AI in audits?

The major goal of implementing analytics and AI in audits is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the auditing process, allowing for informed decision-making based on reliable data.