Podcast Summary: IA on AI – The Importance of Human Review for AI Output

Podcast: The Audit Podcast
Host: Trent Russell
Episode Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

This episode of "The Audit Podcast" features host Trent Russell breaking down why human review remains critical when integrating AI into internal audit processes. Drawing from a recent LinkedIn exchange, Trent underscores the risk of over-relying on AI-generated content and the pitfalls of equating technology adoption with strategy. The episode is concise yet insightful, focusing on AI literacy and practical governance required for successful digital transformations in audit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Differentiating AI Tools from AI Strategy

• Trent emphasizes that having access to AI tools (like Copilot) is not the same as having an AI strategy.
  • Quote [01:00]:

    "If a CEO is having a strategy retreat with the executive team and says the organization's strategy is we bought a new erp, then we would all lose our minds... but that's what it sounds like when someone says their AI strategy is, well, we have a license for Copilot."

  • He likens the adoption of analytic and AI tools without proper governance or alignment with objectives to buying a tool and expecting transformation by default.

2. The Importance of Problem Solving and Governance

• Trent outlines what constitutes an actual strategy:
  • Understanding the problem relative to organizational objectives
  • Deciding which technology enables the team
  • Placing the right habits and processes—essentially, governance—around it
  • Quote [01:40]:

    "Strategy is, amongst other things, knowing what problem you're solving relative to objectives and why, deciding how and what tech enables your team, putting the right habits and processes around it. Basically, governance."

3. AI Content Awareness: A Real-World Example

• Trent shares a LinkedIn post interaction where someone used AI to craft a reply but mistakenly included both their prompt and the AI-generated response.
  • The AI-generated text included phrases such as:

    "Digital transformation isn't about installing systems, it's about uninstalling assumptions. When thought is clear, even a simple tool becomes transformative; when thought is cluttered, even AI looks like Excel in disguise..."

  • Trent’s reaction [03:13]:

    "That's... that sounds so ridiculous... What a crock of crap that is."

4. The Need for Human Review of AI Output

• Trent asserts that a human review is indispensable before publishing or sharing AI-generated content—especially in professional settings and executive communications.
  • Quote [04:10]:

    "Please review the content that comes out of whatever AI tool you're using before you publish it, before you send it to an executive or literally anyone else, review the output."

5. The AI Literacy Test

• Trent proposes an informal test for AI literacy:
  • Quote [03:32]:

    "Scroll through LinkedIn or whatever social media of choice and you tell me what's written by AI and what's not. Not if they can't do it. Their AI literacy level is not high enough."

  • This stresses the importance of being able to discern AI-generated content as part of responsible digital engagement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trent Russell, [01:00]:

  "If a CEO is having a strategy retreat... and says the organization's strategy is we bought a new ERP, then we would all lose our minds... That's what it sounds like when someone says their AI strategy is, 'Well, we have a license for Copilot.'"

• Trent Russell, [01:40]:

  "Strategy is, amongst other things, knowing what problem you're solving... deciding how and what tech enables your team, putting the right habits and processes around it. Basically, governance."

• Trent Russell, [03:32]:

  "My AI literacy test for people would be... you tell me what's written by AI and what's not. If they can't do it, their AI literacy level is not high enough."

• Trent Russell, [04:10]:

  "Please review the content that comes out of whatever AI tool you're using before you publish it, before you send it to an executive or literally anyone else, review the output."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 01:30: Introduction and breakdown of the AI strategy misconception
• 01:30 – 02:00: Essential elements of a true AI/digital strategy
• 02:00 – 03:20: Example of AI-generated content mishap on LinkedIn
• 03:20 – 04:00: Discussion on AI literacy and detecting AI-authored material
• 04:00 – End: Call to action for thorough human review and the episode close

Conclusion

Trent Russell delivers a direct yet engaging reminder: acquiring AI tools is not a substitute for thoughtful strategy and governance in internal audit. Most critically, he advocates for maintaining a human layer of review to ensure communication is authentic, relevant, and aligned with intended outcomes—making this episode invaluable for auditors and tech adopters aiming to integrate AI responsibly.