KPMG unveils AI platform Workbench in multi-billion dollar move

KPMG International has launched KPMG Workbench, an open, interoperable artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to change the way it delivers services to clients and to support staff across its global operations.

KPMG Workbench has been developed with Microsoft technology and support. The platform brings together a network of 50 AI assistants and chatbots that communicate with each other across multiple sectors. Nearly a thousand additional AI assistants are in development to meet a broader array of client requirements.

The AI agents have been designed to operate as digital colleagues alongside KPMG professionals. They are built to work with various large language models (LLMs) and support the organisation in delivering solutions to clients more quickly, while aiming to maintain quality, trust, and compliance standards.

Platform features

The KPMG Workbench is built on Microsoft Azure AI Foundry services and is intended to allow agent-to-agent communications. It also integrates with technology from other alliance partners, including Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Workday. This interoperability is designed so that clients can select the model or AI agent most appropriate for their needs.

KPMG states that the platform will underpin its key client delivery solutions, including the Digital Gateway (Tax), Velocity (Advisory), and Clara, which is KPMG's audit platform. By acting as a central AI hub, KPMG Workbench is expected to simplify working with and managing multiple tools throughout the client engagement process.

KPMG Workbench incorporates data sovereignty features, letting clients manage how their data is stored, processed, and governed to meet both local and international regulatory demands. KPMG has also highlighted its ISO 42001 certification for AI Management Systems, noting that KPMG is the first organisation in the world to achieve this accreditation. Every agent and tool within KPMG Workbench is marked with a KPMG "Trusted AI stamp," indicating that it has been assessed against the company's 10 pillar Trusted AI Framework.

"Clients tell us that their ability to orchestrate and control their agents in a secure way is becoming their number one concern. They also want a multi-model platform rather than being locked into one provider. Recognising this, and KPMG's own needs as a complex global business, the strategy was to build a foundational AI platform that has sovereign data capabilities and enables our people to integrate AI models into one environment that is embedded in our Trusted AI Framework. With KPMG Workbench, we're combining advanced AI agents with the insight, judgment and deep expertise of our people to deliver smarter solutions for clients, faster and with full confidence in their security and compliance." – David Rowlands, Global Head of AI, KPMG International

AI in practice

KPMG Workbench aims to facilitate the automation of multi-step processes such as client onboarding and regulatory reporting. The system allows teams to coordinate and share context between multiple specialised agents, which the company says should make it easier to adapt to new business requirements.

According to KPMG, clients across different industries have already begun to benefit from the platform. Examples cited include a telecommunications and technology business using the platform's agents and tools to assess and enhance compliance policies, a global bank needing data sovereignty and agent processing to verify customer identities and counteract fraud, and an international retailer seeking to improve back-office productivity through the deployment of a digital workforce.

Collaboration with Microsoft

The company confirmed that Microsoft's Azure AI Foundry is the foundation for KPMG Workbench, enabling its interoperability and scalability. The evolution of Workbench from a platform for developers to a central hub for AI delivery reflects KPMG's investment in agent-oriented technology.

"KPMG Workbench represents a transformative step in AI-driven collaboration, integrating multi-agent intelligence into a centralised platform leveraging Azure AI Foundry. This investment is more than just technological innovation – it's a pivotal move toward the future of the open agentic web. At Microsoft, we are empowering businesses to enrich the employee experience and reinvent customer engagement through AI transformation, and KPMG Workbench is a prime example of that vision coming to life." – Judson Althoff, EVP, Chief Commercial Officer, Microsoft

Future availability

KPMG confirmed that private versions of KPMG Workbench will be accessible to clients from various industries wishing to develop and manage a digital workforce in line with changing operational needs.

"Launching KPMG Workbench is a pivotal milestone in our AI commitment to transforming client delivery and enhancing ways of working across the global organisation. This strategic investment, made in collaboration with Microsoft, reinforces our dedication to creating a leading technology ecosystem in an era of rapid evolution and shifting client needs." – Carl Carande, Global Head of Advisory, KPMG International and Vice Chair, Advisory, KPMG in the US

KPMG described Workbench as the foundation of its multi-billion investment in AI and agentic transformation, intended to be a pillar of its future client service solutions. The AI platform is being positioned as central to the organisation's approach to technology adoption and digital service delivery.