The Audit Podcast

Episode 273: AI, Gamification, and the Future of Internal Audit w/ Aadesh Gandhre (DTCC)
Host: Trent Russell
Guest: Aadesh Gandhre, Chief Audit Executive, DTCC
Date: February 10, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Trent Russell sits down with Aadesh Gandhre, Chief Audit Executive at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), to discuss the evolving role of technology and innovation in internal audit. The conversation covers practical AI adoption, gamification of learning, changing perceptions of the audit function through branding, fostering a culture of recognition and innovation, and Aadesh’s approach to servant leadership and change management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Real-World AI Integration in Internal Audit

• Copilot Studio for Professional Use
  • DTCC is a "heavy Copilot shop," using Copilot Studio across the firm.
  • Aadesh created a personal AI agent based on his persona, leveraging his past thought leadership, emails, and preferences.
  • This agent is used for brainstorming and identifying blind spots before key meetings.
  • Quote:

    "It's almost, you know, it feels weird that you're talking to yourself, but ... it's an agent which has tremendously helped me." – Aadesh (03:21)

• Promptathon & Prompt Sharing
  • DTCC ran an internal "promptathon" for auditors, generating reusable prompts to improve workpaper quality and QA.
  • AI prompts can now detect documentation gaps proactively.
• AI in Personal Life
  • Aadesh uses Google Gemini to scan physical invitations and automatically add events to his calendar—saving significant time.
  • Quote:

    "I have a separate calendar for my 9 and 7 year old. ... I've been using Gemini for many months now ... and it does directly connect into my Google Calendar and adds the invite." – Aadesh (05:46)

2. Servant Leadership and Team Culture

• Active Listening and Support
  • Emphasis on knowing employees' pain points and solving problems collaboratively.
• Celebrating Small Wins
  • "Audit Recognition" Teams channel for kudos and recognition, making acknowledgment of everyday achievements a part of the culture.
• Safe Environment for Failure
  • Encourages experimentation and reframes failure as the "First Attempt In Learning" (FAIL).
  • Talent Show Example
    • Ran an internal talent show to foster confidence and break comfort zones, with Aadesh participating personally.
    • Quote:

      "I'm there to serve my department, my people. If they are not growing, I'm not growing." – Aadesh (13:12)

3. DTCC Internal Audit Team Structure

• ~100 auditors globally in major US locations and India/Philippines.
• Team members in various locations can lead global audits.

4. Branding Internal Audit

• Changing Perceptions
  • Audit needs to be seen as a "lighthouse," guiding organizations, not simply a "spotlight" catching faults.
  • "Brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room." – Aadesh (18:44)
  • Critiques old practices like awarding "best audit findings," arguing it encourages the wrong mindset.
• Internal & External Initiatives
  • LinkedIn activity, innovation showcases, AI Café seminars, and authentic communication as tools for rebranding.
  • Creation of a Branding and Engagement Group inside audit to ensure ongoing, methodical brand cultivation.
  • Pilot program to recognize auditee contributions, not just audit team performance.

5. Gamification and Recognition: Protiviti Innovator Award

• Project: Gamification of Learning
  • Created a leaderboard where team members earn points for various learning or innovation activities (attending trainings, building workflows, delivering education).
  • Submissions are reviewed for relevance; quarterly winners celebrated.
  • Friendly competition promotes ongoing learning and innovation.
  • Quote:

    "I'm a huge believer in gamification... If I want to teach [my kids] something, let's create a game out of it." – Aadesh (29:16)

6. Fostering Innovation at Scale

• Team Huddles
  • Regular forums for staff at all levels to showcase innovations, address challenges, and build public speaking confidence.
• Empowering Juniors
  • Junior auditors present to the audit committee, gaining exposure and confidence.
• CSR and Team Bonding
  • Example: "DTCC Under the Stars" fundraising for Covenant House, raising $40,000 while building camaraderie.

7. Staying Ahead: Tech Learning & Resources

• Custom Built News App
  • Personal app summarizes and categorizes the previous day's news into Aadesh’s inbox.
• Key Resources
  • Audit Podcast, Gartner, Gemini Research, Perplexity, Big Four point-of-view docs, professional conferences (IIA, AuditBoard).
• Lifelong Learning
  • At least one new certification per year (e.g., Certified Crypto Auditor, ISC2 Cybersecurity).
  • Quote:

    "I'm a huge believer of upskilling. Every year I try to get at least one new certification or complete...[a] track on Coursera." – Aadesh (43:15)

8. Change Management: Freeze, Unfreeze, Freeze

• Based on Lewin’s model—first "unfreeze" the status quo by understanding current ways, then enact change, then "refreeze" to establish a new baseline.
• Change should be iterative and collaborative, not imposed.
• Quote:

  "If you have an idea to drive change, you cannot just go straight away and start making the change right at that moment because you’re going to get pushback." – Aadesh (45:36)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the impact of Copilot AI in audit tasks:

  "I was able to spot some of the blind spots that, hey, I did not think about that. So it has helped me in my work life for sure." (04:25)

• On servant leadership and culture:

  "We are now trying to put the light on it... It creates a contagious culture where if you get recognized today, I'm sure you're going to find the other person that you're going to give it back." (12:43)

• On audit’s brand challenge:

  "There is a perception issue of internal audit as a profession... we are the victims of our own doings, where maybe some of the auditors may have fallen in love with their findings." (18:06)

• On why innovation matters:

  "Innovation doesn’t always have to be technology... but you need to think differently." (29:16)

• On nurturing team-wide ownership of branding:

  "That brand... is something which should not be a burden on only the CAE, but everybody needs to step in now." (26:17)

• On the freeze-unfreeze approach to change management:

  "Unfreeze, change, refreeze... encourage you to read on this Lewin’s three step model—huge, huge tool in my kit." (45:32)

• Advice for audit professionals in today’s environment:

  "Be curious, be courageous, you know, don’t be afraid of trying new things." (49:46)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• [03:21] – Using AI Copilot in professional and personal life
• [10:30] – Servant leadership and team culture
• [15:19] – Team size, structure, and global presence
• [18:06] – Changing audit's brand and perception
• [27:49] – The gamification project that won the Innovator Award
• [34:03] – Managing innovation and spending time with the team
• [40:43] – Staying up-to-date with tech and industry resources
• [45:32] – Explaining the freeze-unfreeze-freeze change management model
• [49:45] – Aadesh’s closing advice for auditors in the era of AI and rapid change

Summary & Takeaways

Aadesh Gandhre’s conversation with Trent Russell is packed with practical, actionable wisdom for audit leaders and practitioners:

• Successful AI adoption in internal audit is less about technology and more about integrating tools (like Copilot and Gemini) to solve real workflow pain points.
• Servant leadership, celebration of small successes, and intentional culture-building reinforce innovation and staff engagement.
• Internal audit’s “brand” is shaped by everyone—from the CAE to interns—with formal programs and authentic actions making a big difference.
• Gamification and cross-team recognition programs are powerful tools to encourage learning and positive competition.
• True innovation is accessible: it doesn’t require big budgets or coding skills—just curiosity, courage, and application.
• Staying ahead on technology requires not just consuming information but building personal systems and consistently upskilling.
• Change must be managed with intention: listen first, act iteratively, and lock in progress with new cultural baselines.

Final Note by Aadesh (49:45):

"Be curious, be courageous, don’t be afraid of trying new things... we all in our internal audit profession have a responsibility to really reposition audit as a value center. So do look at what can you do individually that can help elevate the overall profession."

This episode is a must-listen for any audit professional seeking to modernize their approach, boost team engagement, and lead meaningful change in a world where technology and expectations are evolving faster than ever.