KPMG is training its tax interns on AI basics at its Florida Lakehouse center. The focus: simple prompting techniques, not advanced AI wizardry.
Interns learned five ways to ask AI questions for better answers: chunking, few-shot prompting, iterative question refinement, chain of thought prompting, and flipped interaction prompting.
The “chain of thought” method helps AI show its reasoning — useful for tax pros checking accuracy. “Flipped interaction” gets AI to ask questions back, helping users think deeper. 
The training also stressed ethics and reducing hallucinations while using KPMG’s AI tax tool, Digital Gateway.
“The more detail you give it, the more likely it is to predict the next thing correctly,” an instructor explained.
KPMG senior staff use AI to draft audit memos and do research, getting them “80% of the way there,” said audit partner Becky Sproul.
The firm is building AI agents as “team members” and tracking usage to encourage adoption. Big Four rivals Deloitte, EY, and PwC have also rolled out similar AI platforms this year.
The session used old-school methods like cardboard flipboards and even included a 5-minute stretch break to help interns stay focused.
“This is what we signed up for, right?” one intern joked during the wellness break.
KPMG’s approach shows AI upskilling doesn’t have to be complex. It’s about teaching good question-asking skills to get the most from AI tools.
KPMG runs most of its core employee training at its Lakehouse property in Florida.
Polly Thompson
The tax interns take a stretch break during an AI training session.
Polly Thompson
