Another important consideration for the profession is how to ensure that the Code of Ethics remains relevant and whether there are particular areas where guidance is needed. For instance, to what extent should accountants be overruling the outputs of AI systems and who is ultimately responsible for any failings.
The articles and reports on this page are dedicated to examining emerging technologies, how they are being used, the ethical challenges and risks involved, how these risks can be managed effectively, and potential implications for the Code of Ethics.
News, opinion and analysis
Thought Leadership resources and other guidance
Read our latest Thought Leadership, other reports and technical helpsheets concerning technology, the risks around ethics and accountability.
The impact of technology
An overview of the provisions in the ICAEW's Code of Ethics which relate to the impact of technology on the work of accountants, as well as other revisions relating to professional skills.
Ethics and AI
In 2024, ICAEW’s Trust and Ethics Team hosted roundtables on shaping guidance for the accountancy profession on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Read an overview of the discussions, offering insights into real-life use cases and the risks that must be managed.
New technologies, ethics and accountability
This thought leadership report delves into the ethics of new technology and the seismic developments currently taking place in AI and algorithms, which are both exciting and morally concerning.
Risks and assurance of emerging technologies
Cognitive and automation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have drawn a great deal of interest, but also concern about the potential for bias and misuse. ICAEW’s Tech Faculty examines the risks associated with the adoption of emerging technology and how these risks can be tackled through internal controls and assurance.
Frameworks on ethical use of AI
A selection of frameworks produced by other organisations.
The Deloitte machines with purpose paper
New technology offers many opportunities for professional services to improve their operations; yet has the sector been at best reactive to previous waves of innovation?
The PwC practical guide to responsible AI
Amid this promise, the rapid pace and significant scale of change resulting from ever smarter AI systems and increasingly pervasive human/machine interactions are also giving rise to markedly differing concerns among business leaders and consumers.
The Machine Intelligence Garage framework
The responsible use of algorithms and data is paramount for the sustainable development of machine intelligence applications, Digital Catapult's Ethics Committee has created an Ethical Framework consisting of seven concepts, along with corresponding questions intended to inform how they may be applied in practice.
