Ethical Use of AI: What Chartered Accountants Ireland Says Members Should Consider

AI tools are now part of everyday work in many finance teams and practices. For Chartered Accountants in Ireland, the question is not whether the profession's ethical rules apply to those tools, but how. Chartered Accountants Ireland has published an article on the ethical use of AI that answers this by pointing members back to the Code of Ethics. This guide summarises what that article says, adds the views of three Chartered Accountants quoted in an earlier Institute article, and sets out some practical questions to ask. It is aimed at accountants, finance managers and CPD planners in Ireland. For the wider ethics picture, see our guide to AI ethics for finance professionals.

A note on the sources: the first article was published on the Chartered Accountants Ireland website in August 2026. The second, from 2 August 2024, collects the individual views of three named people, so those views are theirs and are not formal Institute policy. Neither article is a substitute for the Code of Ethics itself, so read the Code and check the Institute's AI Hub for current resources.

The Code applies whatever tools you use

The August 2026 article says the Code of Ethics applies to members' professional activities "whatever tools, technologies or techniques they use". In practice, that means using AI does not change the standards a Chartered Accountant is held to. The article names these principles:

• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Professional competence and due care
• Confidentiality
• Professional behaviour

It also refers to wider expectations of integrity, transparency, fairness, accountability and the public interest.

The ethical risks the Institute names

The article lists specific risks and ethical threats that arise from AI use:

• Over-reliance on AI-generated outputs
• Automation bias
• Lack of transparency or explainability
• Embedded bias or discrimination
• Confidentiality and data privacy concerns
• Unclear accountability
• Inadequate human oversight
• Overstating the reliability or objectivity of AI-generated information

The article says AI use "increases the need for careful judgement, meaningful oversight and clear accountability". It explains that members can address these risks using the Code of Ethics and its conceptual framework, and it points readers to the Chartered Accountants Ireland AI Hub for further resources. The article does not set out a step-by-step list of actions.

What three Chartered Accountants said in 2024

An Institute article from August 2024 drew on the views of three Chartered Accountants. Their comments add practical colour, but remember they are individual opinions.

Owen Lewis, Head of AI and Management Consulting at KPMG in Ireland, stressed integrity and transparency in AI-driven solutions. He said algorithms should be audited and validated against regulatory standards and ethical guidelines, and that systems should be monitored for bias and inaccuracy. For large-scale decisions he called for governance such as explainability, transparency, human oversight, data quality, and model robustness. He advised starting with low-risk test applications and building from there.

Bob Semple, a director in governance and risk management, set out ten steps for Chartered Accountants: take a leadership role, conduct an AI stocktake, assess downside risks, catalogue datasets, draft policies with clear accountability, strengthen data curation, identify smart use cases, provide training, manage benefit realisation, and update audit and assurance approaches. He warned about what he called "distorted agency", meaning over-relying on AI outputs or doubting your own judgement on important decisions, and argued that professional judgement is the main safeguard.

Níall Fitzgerald, Head of Ethics and Governance at Chartered Accountants Ireland, linked AI use to the profession's code of ethics, naming objectivity, confidentiality, integrity, professional behaviour, and competence and due care. He said Chartered Accountants must understand how AI uses, analyses and outputs data, and that organisations must make sure AI-driven information meets principles of integrity, honesty and transparency.

Questions to ask before relying on an AI output (our suggestions)

The questions below are Learnsignal's own suggestions for putting the Institute's themes into practice. They are not from the Institute.

• Who is accountable for this output if it turns out to be wrong?
• Could I explain to a client or regulator how this result was produced?
• Does using this tool put client information at risk, and have I checked the tool's terms?
• Have I checked the output against my own professional judgement rather than accepting it because it looks plausible?

Our guide to AI in finance in Ireland looks at the wider Irish context, and our guide to CPD for accountants in Ireland explains how to plan learning around these topics.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Code of Ethics change because of AI?

The Institute's August 2026 article says the Code applies whatever tools members use. It does not describe a new AI-specific code.

Where can I find more resources?

The article points readers to the Chartered Accountants Ireland AI Hub.

Are the ten steps official Institute guidance?

No. They were set out by Bob Semple in an Institute article from 2024 and reflect his views.

If you want structured learning on this topic, explore our CPD courses. This article is a summary of published Institute material and is not professional or legal advice.