On the Frontlines: Top 5 Podcast Episodes of the Year
Blogs Catherine Brown Jan 07, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded onto the scene, revolutionizing industries, and raising big questions for internal auditors. It has transformed from a once mysterious technology to a helpful coworker, secretary — even therapist. It comes as no surprise, then, that podcasts on AI pulled in the most listeners to The IIA’s “All Things Internal Audit” series in 2024.
But the list of most-played podcasts is not completely dominated by AI. Podcast episodes on greenwashing and quantum computing — a technology that could render our best supercomputers obsolete — are among the top five as well. So, grab a hot drink, curl up on a comfy chair, and catch up on the most popular “All Things Internal Audit” podcasts of the year.
#1 Exploring The IIA’s Artificial Intelligence Auditing Framework
This episode earned the top spot among our most streamed podcasts serie of 2024 because it links AI and internal audit. To help auditors navigate this brave new world, The IIA introduced its updated AI Auditing Framework in late 2023. In this episode, Robert Perez interviews George Barham, who helped update the framework, about cracking the code on AI risks. They break down each of the four parts of the framework, explaining why modernizing it was crucial to the profession.
Guest
George Barham, director of standards & professional guidance, The IIA
Host
Robert Pérez, owner, Pérez Communication Solutions
#2 AI Governance & Ethical Considerations
The runner-up for most listened-to podcast was also about AI, but this episode takes on the crucial topic of governance and ethics when using AI for internal audit. Think of it this way: AI is powerful, but like any tool, it can be misused. These experts, who were interviewed at the 2024 GAM Conference, give us insight into the critical strategies for keeping sensitive data safe when using public AI tools. They stress the necessity of rock-solid governance and constant monitoring when implementing AI.
This episode also tackles the big ethical questions head-on: How do we prevent AI from creating new risks? How do we ensure AI is used safely, especially in applications that impact human lives? This isn't just about audits; it's about responsible AI usage.
Guests
Brian Willis, LBMC senior manager, cybersecurity advisor
Charles King, managing director, advisory services, KPMG
Alex Gacheche, head of information security, Meta
Ivan Martinez, managing director, internal audit, Goldman Sachs
Ethan Rojhani, Grant Thornton principal, risk advisory services
Wes Luckock, Grant Thornton senior manager, AI, automation and analytics
Host
David Petrisky, director of professional standards, The IIA
#3 Unmasking Greenwashing
Moving away from the AI coverage, the third-most popular podcast addresses greenwashing — a term that describes when companies make misleading claims about their environmental efforts. Organizations may do it to look more eco-friendly than they actually are, or they may not even realize they are engaging in greenwashing.
In this episode, David Petrisky interviews Edith Wong and Brian Wilmot to expose the truth behind the green facade. They reveal the messy world of environmental claims, sharing some truly eye-opening cases that will make you think twice about what you see in those "eco-friendly" ads. So, why should internal auditors care? Think financial, legal, reputational risk — and that’s just the beginning.
Guests
Edith Wong, managing director, FTI Consulting
Brian Wilmot, compliance and regulatory counseling and investigations and white-collar defense practices attorney, Paul Hastings LLP
Host
David Petrisky, director of professional standards, The IIA
#4 Understanding Quantum Computing
No. 4 is also not about AI, but about another technology that will likely change life as we know it: quantum computing. What takes a supercomputer thousands of years to solve, takes a quantum computer minutes. It may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it's going to impact the profession in a big way.
In this episode, Lynn Moehl interviews Nick Reese, an expert in quantum computing. He explains the technology and its game-changing potential for the auditing profession, including how it could revolutionize everything from risk assessment and fraud detection to data analysis and cybersecurity. Plus, Reese shares practical tips on how internal auditors can stay ahead of the curve and prepare for this quantum leap.
Guest
Nick Reese, co-founder and COO, Frontier Foundry
Host
Lynn Moehl, director of internal audit and chief audit executive, The IIA
#5 AI and Financial Crime
In the last of our top five podcasts, AI is back and fighting crime. In this episode, our guests discuss a critical area where AI is making waves: financial crime.
Experts Antonio Cacciapuoti and Alessandro Casarotti were interviewed by Ricardo Martinez on the complex relationship between AI and financial crime. They pull back the curtain on how criminals are using AI to commit fraud, the unique challenges this creates, and, crucially, how internal auditors can turn the tables and use AI to strengthen their controls and detection methods.
It’s a high-tech arms race: Criminals are using AI to become more sophisticated, so auditors need to be equipped with the same powerful tools to stay one step ahead.
Listen Here
Guests
Antonio Cacciapuoti, head of internal audit, Eurizon
Alessandro Casarotti, forensic and anti-financial crime director, PwC Luxembourg
Host
Ricardo Martinez, senior manager, Portfolio Strategy, The IIA
A Look Toward the Future
It's clear from this year's top five podcast episodes that AI is driving incredible changes in internal auditing. But topics like greenwashing and quantum computing show just how diverse the profession is.
Looking forward to 2025, The IIA’s “All Things Internal Audit” podcast will continue to bring our listeners valuable insights to help internal auditors navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
Find more episodes of “All Things Internal Audit” on all major streaming platforms.