KPMG Staff Used AI to Cheat on Internal Exams, Partner Fined
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 15 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 15 Feb 2026, 10:00 am
Description
More than two dozen KPMG Australia personnel have also used artificial intelligence to cheat on internal exams since July.
Summary
A significant number of KPMG Australia employees, including a partner, were found to have used AI to cheat on internal exams. The partner involved has been fined over $10,000, highlighting the challenges professional firms face in managing ethical uses of AI. Although AI's capabilities promise efficiency and innovation, they also present risks of misuse, as demonstrated in this scenario. This incident underscores the necessity for robust governance frameworks around AI use, especially as its integration into business processes grows. While specific to Australia, this case represents global concerns over AI governance and ethical use in business environments.
Body
CompaniesProfessional ServicesConsultingPrint articleEdmund TadrosProfessional services editorFeb 15, 2026 – 8.00pmMore than two dozen KPMG Australia personnel have used artificial intelligence to cheat on internal exams since July, including a partner who will be fined more than $10,000 for using the technology in a training course about AI.The big four accounting firm has upgraded its processes to detect AI cheating after putting in place policies and extra policing to tackle widespread cheating on internal tests between 2016 and 2020.Loading...Edmund Tadros leads our coverage of the professional services sector. He is based in our Sydney newsroom. Email Edmund at edmundtadros@afr.com.auSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreConsultingAIKPMGBig four consultantsFetching latest articles