AI Transforms Third-Party Assessments: Human Oversight is Crucial

In a Help Net Security interview, Dilek Çilingir, Global Forensic & Integrity Services Leader at EY, sheds light on the transformative impact of Artificial intelligence on third-party assessments and due diligence. She defines this evolution as leveraging AI, specifically machine learning and behavioral analytics, to enhance an organization's ability to identify and mitigate risks associated with external partners.

The primary benefits of integrating AI into these processes are multifaceted. Çilingir highlights its capacity for earlier risk detection, allowing organizations to proactively address potential vulnerabilities before they escalate. This proactive approach significantly improves overall compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies, while also strengthening accountability across the third-party ecosystem. By automating the identification of anomalies and potential red flags, AI streamlines what has traditionally been a labor-intensive and error-prone process.

However, Çilingir strongly emphasizes that despite AI's powerful capabilities in flagging risks, human judgment remains indispensable. While AI can efficiently process vast amounts of data to pinpoint potential issues, the nuanced decision-making, ethical considerations, and strategic actions required to “close the loop” on a risk can only be provided by human experts. The inherent risk lies in over-reliance on technology without adequate human oversight; as Çilingir notes, forensic investigations into third-party breaches often reveal weak points that AI *could* have flagged, but it's human action that's needed to implement preventative measures and ensure resolution. Thus, AI serves as a powerful tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them, particularly in critical areas like compliance and integrity.

(Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/11/05/dilek-cilingir-ey-ai-third-party-assessments/)