A senior partner at KPMG Australia has been fined A$10,000 (around US$7,000) for using artificial intelligence to cheat on an internal AI ethics course, highlighting the tricky balance between technology and professional responsibility. The partner reportedly fed the mandatory training questions into a generative AI tool to generate answers, breaking company rules and raising concerns about integrity in AI use.
The breach, which occurred in July 2025, was detected through KPMG’s internal monitoring system, designed to ensure employees follow proper procedures while using AI. As part of the disciplinary action, the partner must retake the training and will face a reduction in future pay. The individual has also reported themselves to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, which is investigating the case.
The case drew attention during an Australian Senate inquiry into industry oversight. Greens senator Barbara Pocock called current regulations “toothless,” noting that professional misconduct often goes unreported unless individuals come forward. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been notified but will await the accounting body’s findings before taking further action.
KPMG revealed that this incident is part of a larger trend: so far this financial year, 28 staff members, from junior employees to managers, have misused AI to bypass mandatory training tests. KPMG’s chief executive, Andrew Yates, acknowledged the difficulty of policing AI misuse, given its rapid adoption in workplaces, and stressed that the firm is refining its policies and education programs to prevent future incidents.
