Research and implementation of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the development of audit services under the intensification of cooperation between enterprises of Ukraine and UK
Students Name: Hreshchuk Nataliia Tarasivna
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: International Business
Institute: Institute of Economics and Management
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2025-2026 н.р.
Language of Defence: англійська
Abstract: This Master’s thesis includes a thorough study of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the development of audit services and examines the processes of audit transformation in Ukraine and the UK in the context of the digital economy. This is a key topic, as the use of intelligent technologies in the financial sector is growing rapidly, audit quality must keep pace with these changes, and Ukrainian audit practice urgently needs to be aligned with international standards. The thesis includes a macroeconomic analysis of the development of government AI, an assessment of the regulatory framework, a review of modern audit technologies and a micro-analysis of the activities of PwC Ukraine. The first section presents the theoretical and methodological foundations of the digital transformation of audit. It provides an overview of the regulatory framework of Ukraine, the UK and the EU, and also structures scientific approaches to the use of LLM models, business process automation and the development of intelligent audit procedures. This section examines how technological paradigms are evolving—from chatbots and co-pilots to autonomous agents—and how they can help improve the accuracy, speed, and reliability of audit findings. The second section presents a macroeconomic analysis of the development of artificial intelligence implementation in Ukraine and the United Kingdom from 2020 to 2024. Using statistical data, government strategies, and reports from international organizations, it analyzes the degree of digitalization of the economy, public investment in AI, the structure of technology exports and imports, the level of business process automation, and key areas of cooperation between the two countries in the field of digital innovation. The section compares the pace of AI development in the public and private sectors, and provides a graphical analysis of the differences between countries by economic sectors and technologies used. The third section offers a micro-analytical study of the integration of artificial intelligence into the activities of PwC Ukraine and PwC UK. The study examines the level of automation, including the use of HALO, GL.ai, Helix, Clara and other technology solutions for transaction analysis, risk management and audit process automation. It presents a forecast of key trends in the development of AI-based audits: the transition to an “AI-based auditor”, increasing the level of automation to 60–70% in Ukraine, closer integration of LLM with analytical modules and the transformation of the auditor’s role from verification to analytical interpretation of data. Practical recommendations have been developed for PwC Ukraine on cost optimization, improving audit quality and scaling intelligent solutions. The practical relevance of this work is demonstrated by its recommendations on the implementation of an AI-based audit model on the Ukrainian market, adapting the UK experience to local conditions and outlining ways to further develop partnership initiatives between Ukraine and the UK. The economic implications of the use of intelligent technologies are a central focus, demonstrated by calculations of changes in productivity, audit costs, automation levels and cost-effectiveness. Audit firms, government agencies, educational institutions developing training programs for the next generation of auditors, and companies seeking to integrate intelligent solutions into their financial management systems can benefit from the results. This master’s thesis combines analytical, practical and predictive perspectives, showing that artificial intelligence is much more than just a technological innovation; it is a key tool for creating a qualitatively new audit services ecosystem. Object of the study: PwC Ukraine as a representative of an international audit network. Subject of the study: The use of artificial intelligence technologies in audit activities within the context of UK–Ukraine cooperation. Purpose of the study: To develop a model for implementing AI in auditing based on international experience and to assess its economic effectiveness. Keywords: artificial intelligence, audit, PwC, Big Data, machine learning, digital transformation, risk-oriented audit. List of References Used: 1. McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). The state of AI in 2023: Generative AI’s breakout year. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-in-2023-generative-ais- breakout-year 2. UK Government, Department for Business & Trade. (2025, October 31). Ukraine — UK Trade and Investment Factsheet (31 Oct 2025). Retrieved from assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69135e661fcc92b3f34963db/ukraine-trade-and-investment- factsheet-2025-10-31.pdf 3. Як Україна розвиватиме ШІ до 2030 року — презентували драфт стратегії. (n.d.). Міністерство Цифрової Трансформації України. https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/technologies/iak-ukrayina-rozvyvatyme- shi-do-2030-roku-prezentuvaly-proyekt-stratehiyi 4. Audit Firm Specific Reports - Tier 1 Audit Firms. (n.d.). FRC (Financial Reporting Council). https://www.frc.org.uk/library/supervision/audit-firm-specific-reports/tier-1-audit-firms/ 5. PricewaterhouseCoopers. (n.d.). Звіт про прозорість. https://www.pwc.com/ua/uk/services/assurance/transparency-report.html 6. ACCA - https://www.accaglobal.com. (n.d.). AI and the future of audit. https://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/ACCA_Global/professional-insights/ai-assessments/AI- assessments-enhancing-confidence-2.8.pdf