Blogs

AI in Compliance: from documents to completed questionnaires

Compliance often feels like an annual paperwork marathon. Teams repeat the same tasks, while valuable time is lost on documentation instead of managing risks. AI offers relief: linking reports to questionnaires, pre-filling vendor forms, and ensuring consistency. AI won’t replace compliance officers, but it helps shift compliance from a yearly burden to a continuous, streamlined process.

Compliance pressure is rising

The digital economy has created endless opportunities, but with growth comes scrutiny. For software and SaaS companies, compliance now means juggling a mix of broad standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2, alongside sector rules such as PCI-DSS or HIPAA.

For many teams, compliance season feels like a marathon of paperwork. Questionnaires pile up, files must be uploaded, and reports checked. The irony? Most of that information already sits in existing policies and audit documents. Yet every year, the cycle starts again, with the same spreadsheets and PDFs.

The Ponemon Institute has shown that a large share of compliance resources still goes into managing documentation, rather than tackling actual risks. In other words: time is being spent in the wrong place.

Why it keeps going wrong

  • Endless repetition
  • Higher error rates
  • Inconsistent results

Where AI can make a difference

AI isn’t a magic wand, but it can take the edge off. Some practical uses:

  • Linking SOC 2 reports directly to questionnaires
  • Applying the Statement of Applicability during ISO 27001 audits
  • Pre-filling vendor security forms

Right now, AI already proves useful by extracting and summarizing text, preparing answers in advance, and checking consistency across documents.

The case for automation

One study shows that 61% of vendors believe workflow automation could streamline compliance and cut costs by up to 50%. That’s not hype — it’s a clear signal that repetitive tasks are ripe for optimization.

Image showing automation of documents to answer questionnaires

Not without its limits

AI can misread context, leave out detail, or raise questions around privacy and fairness. Human oversight remains non-negotiable.

From annual struggle to continuous oversight

Companies experimenting with AI are starting to see a shift: compliance becomes less about yearly fire drills and more about ongoing monitoring. At InControl Hub, we see every day how automation speeds up assessments, improves consistency, and gives leadership a sharper view of risks and controls.