New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- An AI fiasco in an Australian project by Deloitte raises the question of whether the global consultancy industry is being left vulnerable by its use of artificial intelligence.

Deloitte was commissioned by Australia's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) last December to carry out an "independent assurance review" of its 'targeted compliance framework,' an automated system that penalizes jobseekers who failed to meet their 'mutual welfare' obligations.

The contract was worth around US $290,000. A researcher from Sydney University, Chris Rudge, observed that Deloitte's 237-page report, which was submitted in July, was riddled with references to non-existent sources and experts.

After examining it...