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Using AI in your audits

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can assist COR auditors in reducing administrative workloads. The Energy Safety Canada Auditor and SECOR Assessor Code of Ethics outlines how AI may be used responsibly, transparently and compliantly during COR and SECOR audits. 

Below offers some guidance on how to use AI in COR and SECOR Auditing. 

AI Do's

Permitted uses — AI tools may be used as drafting assistance only.

Permitted Uses
  • Improving grammar, clarity or formatting of auditor-written notes
  • Summarizing notes the auditor has already verified
  • Re-phrasing content without changing meaning
  • Working from auditor-verified evidence only
  • All final content reviewed, validated and approved by the auditor
AI must work from auditor-verified evidence only. The auditor must review, validate and approve all final content.

AI Don'ts

AI tools must not be used to perform any of the following.

Prohibited Uses
  • Conduct or replace worker or supervisor interviews
  • Conduct site inspections or observations
  • Generate audit observations not personally verified
  • Determine compliance or non-compliance
  • Assign scores or evaluate COR elements
These activities require direct human judgment and fall under auditor responsibility.

 

Auditor accountability and the use of AI

Auditor accountability remains unchanged, even when AI is used.

Key Responsibilities
  • The auditor owns the audit and is fully accountable for accuracy
  • The auditor is responsible for all conclusions and scores
  • AI is a support tool, not a decision-maker
     
✓ Correct Use

Auditor personally conducts interview, takes notes, then uses AI to improve grammar and clarity of those notes before finalizing.

✗ Avoid

Using AI to generate interview summaries or observations without the auditor having personally gathered and verified the information.

Even when AI tools assist with drafting, the certified auditor remains fully responsible for every finding, score and conclusion in the audit.

 

Privacy and confidentiality

Auditors must not enter sensitive information into public or unapproved AI tools.

Do Not Enter Into AI Tools
Worker names or identifying information
Incident, medical or disciplinary details
Confidential or proprietary employer documents
Any data that could breach Canadian privacy policy
All use of AI must protect privacy and comply with Canadian privacy policies.

 

Transparency in AI use

When AI is used for drafting or summarization, auditors may include the following disclosure statement.

Suggested Disclosure
"AI tools were used for drafting assistance only. All audit notes, findings and conclusions were reviewed, validated and finalized by the certified COR auditor."
Including this statement supports transparency and demonstrates that professional standards were upheld throughout the audit process.

 

Helpful reminders

✏️ AI can help with writing

Grammar, clarity and formatting of auditor-written notes.

🔍 AI cannot replace judgment

Evidence, observation and professional decisions remain human-led.

👤 Audits stay human-led

COR audits are professional assessments requiring direct auditor oversight.

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