site.btaSurvey: Bulgarians See Need for Human Oversight in AI Use by National Audit Office

The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the auditing work of the National Audit Office will not replace the role of the human factor. However, there are concerns related to the use of AI assistants, such as potential data misuse and algorithmic errors, according to some of the findings of a nationally representative survey conducted by the research center Trend on the public attitudes and expectations toward the National Audit Office and the use of Artificial Intelligence. The study was carried out in September at the request of the Audit Office to mark the 145th anniversary of its establishment.

The data were presented here on Monday by Evelina Slavkova, co-founder of Trend, during the ongoing international conference Artificial Intelligence and IT Audit in Safeguarding Public Resources, organized in Sofia on the occasion of the anniversary.

The study highlights the Bulgarian public’s belief in the need for human judgment in the work of institutions, and particularly in that of the National Audit Office. A total of 37% of respondents see the absence of human oversight as a potential risk. According to the results, 25% of respondents believe that auditors should supervise the work of AI systems and verify the information generated by them.

According to the summary presented by Evelina Slavkova, 8% of respondents think that AI will soon and completely transform the work of the Audit Office, while another 19% believe that such a complete transformation will happen, but not in the near future. Meanwhile, 29% expect that the Office’s work will change to some extent, but only partially.

The researcher also outlined the general sentiment in Bulgarian society regarding the impact of AI. She noted that a larger share of people believe not everything will change radically or instantly — rather, that these processes will develop gradually and at a slower pace.

According to Slavkova, the survey also shows that the majority of Bulgarians — 52% — are aware of the activities and status of the National Audit Office.