One in Four Executives Say AI Errors Have Reached External Audiences or Boards, According to New Research From Workiva

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire One in Four Executives Say AI Errors Have Reached External Audiences or Boards, According to New Research From WorkivaAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Although 84% of executives are at least somewhat confident in AI output without human review, only 11% believe their data quality is sufficient for AI useTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountNEW YORK — Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK), a leading, audit-ready platform for trust, transparency, and accountability, today released findings from its 2026 Midyear Executive Benchmark Survey.Although 84% of surveyed executives say they are at least somewhat confident in the accuracy of AI output without human review, one in four (26%) say internal audits have detected AI errors that reached external audiences or board members. This data suggests there is a disconnect between what executives believe and what evidence shows. As AI reshapes the enterprise at unprecedented speed, a new risk is emerging: transformation could be outpacing the instincts of the leaders tasked with overseeing it.“Confidence in AI without control over data quality is a liability, not a strategy. CFOs need platforms that connect AI to trusted, auditable data so every output is one they can verify and every disclosure is one they can defend,” said Barbara Larson, Chief Financial Officer at Workiva. “Getting this right is about more than avoiding errors. Business leaders can move faster and embed AI deeper into their operations when they trust what their systems produce. That’s a real competitive edge.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againData Quality Threatens AI Accuracy and Investor TrustExecutives largely agree that poor data quality is limiting their organizations’ use of AI, suggesting enterprise AI can only scale where there is confidence in, and control over, the underlying data. Institutional investors express similar concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated content.Only 11% of executives believe their data quality is sufficient for AI use27% say poor data quality has significantly blocked deployment in key workflows71% say poor data quality has at least moderately impacted the use of AI in financial and sustainability reporting89% of investors are concerned about AI accuracy in corporate disclosuresOver time, weak or unverifiable data may erode credibility with stakeholders, and organizations that fail to address data quality and investor concerns risk losing ground to more proactive peers.As AI Use Grows, Executives Call for Supporting InfrastructureFor financial reporting teams, and CFOs in particular, the tools that govern AI output are as critical as the AI itself. As agents become more autonomous, executives believe the need for specialized infrastructure will increase, citing multiple priorities1:49% say they will continue to need systems of record, such as general ledgers45% say they will need software that enables traceability and audit55% say they will need platforms to manage agents and automated workflows“Generic AI isn’t enough for financial reporting. Investors, regulators, and boards expect answers they can trust. The real advantage comes from specialized AI built on governed, auditable data and paired with human judgment, giving organizations the confidence to verify what AI produces and stand behind the decisions and disclosures that follow,” said Jason Darby, Chief Financial Officer of Amalgamated Bank.The Workiva 2026 Midyear Executive Benchmark Survey polled 2,272 finance, risk, and sustainability professionals, including 847 C-level executives, from organizations across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. The survey also polled 367 institutional investors from firms in North America and the United Kingdom. Read the report at www.workiva.com/benchmark-2026.Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) powers trust, transparency, and accountability. Finance, accounting, sustainability, risk, and audit teams from more than 6,700 organizations, including over 85% of Fortune 1,000 companies, rely on Workiva for their mission-critical work. We transform how customers connect data, unify processes, and empower teams in a secure, audit-ready platform. Learn more at workiva.com.View source version on businesswire.com: This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.