Tech news: Diligent touts AI Board Member and Agentic GRC Workforce

Governance, risk, and compliance platform Diligent has unveiled a suite of AI-driven tools, including an AI Board Member assistant and specialized agents designed to automate complex GRC workflows. Simultaneously, Gusto has released 75 new features focused on payroll automation and tax credit estimation, while Infinite Ties launched a toolkit to help tax professionals transition into client advisory services. These developments signal an accelerating shift toward AI-integrated automation and advisory-led service models within the accounting and tax technology ecosystem.

Diligent’s new AI Board Member functions as a digital colleague for directors, capable of recalling board materials, industry news, and public research to provide organization-specific guidance on audit, risk, and cyber issues. The company also introduced an "Agentic GRC Workforce" on the Diligent One Platform, featuring specialized agents like the Subsidiary Governance Agent and the Enterprise Risk Governance Agent. The former automates subsidiary board operations and identifies compliance gaps across jurisdictions, while the latter transforms raw risk signals into SEC-aligned disclosures by leveraging internal data and Moody’s risk benchmarking. These agents are accessible via a single command center to streamline multi-step workflows across governance and compliance functions.

Payroll provider Gusto has expanded its platform with nearly 75 new features, emphasizing automation and practice management integration. Key updates include "Assisted Payroll Prep," which uses historical data to detect anomalies before submission, and an expanded Tax Credits service that automatically estimates maximum credits and generates ready-to-file documents. Gusto also introduced a new integration with Karbon’s practice management system, allowing accountants to sync pay schedules and track task statuses directly. Furthermore, the "Gusto Pro Opportunities" tool now provides personalized recommendations for accountants, such as flagging retirement mandates or R&D tax credit opportunities for specific clients.

Addressing the growing demand for advisory services, Infinite Ties launched the FanCAS-Kit, a structured six-phase system designed to help tax professionals build and scale client advisory services (CAS) practices. The kit covers foundational mission definition, revenue strategies like fixed-fee pricing, and the development of a CAS-specific tech stack and operational infrastructure. Collectively, these updates from Diligent, Gusto, and Infinite Ties reflect a broader industry trend toward reducing manual administrative burdens through AI and automation while equipping firms with the tools necessary to provide higher-value strategic insights to their clients.