Things are changing in the traditional world of finance. In addition to strategies passed down over generations, a new helper has arrived – algorithms made by computers.
Robot advisors now manage people’s savings with the same care as long ago but learn faster than human memory. Watchful software also spots patterns that eyes miss, flagging unusual activity that could harm trust in financial systems.
It’s hard to say what benefits may come as money and technology work together respectfully. Funds customized for individual dreams instead of biases, help available to all to grow wealth, and transparency to catch issues before they arise.
If Artificial Intelligence (AI) creates more inclusion where some dominated before, empowering everyone’s well-being through shared resources, the future looks promising. And we can already see the signs. Research suggests that by 2035, AI is projected to save banks a total of $447 billion.
Overview
AI covers different technologies that help machines learn in human-like ways. In finance, it works through watching and spotting connections, shedding light on patterns people might miss. How is its presence gently shaping change?
1. Risk Management: For analysts with tight deadlines, AI provides extra attention to details they could overlook. Its number-crunching helps evaluate customers’ creditworthiness more accurately, lowering risks for lenders and borrowers. AI also spots questionable transactions fast, before fraud can hurt anyone.
2. Fraud Detection: Regulatory compliance benefits too as AI’s constant attention keeps up with crooks’ shifting tactics. But it doesn’t replace humans’ judgment – AI learns from teaming up with experienced professionals to discover more together.
3. Automation Revolution: Experts note AI takes on repetitive daily tasks, freeing up employees for complex work where human interaction really matters. By handling standardized processes like loan approvals and account reconciliation, AI lifts a burden to allow deeper focus where creativity and empathy make a difference.
4. Personalization Pays Off: Customers also benefit from personalized offerings tailored to individual needs and situations, rather than one-size-fits-all approaches. This level of customization strengthens customer relationships.
5. Smarter Decisions, Better Returns: Algorithmic trading and credit assessments made possible by AI happen faster without compromising accuracy. However, the final decisions still involve experienced human oversight to ensure harmony and fairness.
By respecting both analytical and intuitive strengths, solutions emerge that address a diversity of needs. Ongoing cooperation ensures our shared well-being continues to grow sustainably, even amid uncertain changes.
The benefits of AI go beyond efficiency and accuracy. The below chart clearly depicts how the use of AI has increased in just 2 years and what benefits they offer.
In 2023, the key advantage of AI in financial services was the enhancement of operational efficiencies. A survey conducted in 2024 revealed that 43% of participants reported increased operational efficiencies due to AI, marking a notable rise from the previous year.
In contrast, customer experience, previously regarded as the primary benefit of AI in 2022, slipped to third place with only 27% of respondents citing enhanced customer experience as the main advantage.
Other frequently mentioned benefits encompass gaining a competitive edge, achieving more precise models, and lowering the overall cost of ownership.
How is AI Used in Finance?
AI can be used for a plethora of actions. Especially in finance, the possibilities are vast. In 2023, a report by NVIDIA revealed the leading AI applications in finance (excluding China). Surprisingly, out of the 21 use cases examined in the survey, ten are utilized by more than 20% of respondents, indicating significant potential for future advancement.
| Top AI Use Case in Financial Services (Excluding China) | |
| Natural language processing (NLP) / Large language models (LLMs) | 26% |
| Recommender systems / next-best action | 23% |
| Portfolio optimization | 23% |
| Fraud detection: transactions/payments | 22% |
| Fraud detection: anti-money laundering / know your customer | 22% |
| Algorithmic trading | 21% |
| Conversational AI | 20% |
| Marketing optimization | 20% |
| Creating synthetic data for model creation/optimization | 20% |
| Synthetic data generation | 18% |
| Document management | 18% |
| Compliance | 17% |
| Default prediction | 15% |
| Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) | 12% |
| Metaverse / virtual worlds | 12% |
| Claims processing | 12% |
| Geospatial AI | 10% |
The most widely used applications consist of generative AI, personalization systems, and portfolio optimization tools.
What is the Future of AI in Finance?
The future of AI in finance is brimming with possibilities. Some key areas to watch include:
The Rise of AI-Powered Wealth Management: Experts predict AI will make personalized wealth guidance and automatically managed portfolios more common. This could make financial expertise available to more people.
Enhanced Fraud Detection: Fraudsters may create complex new scams, but AI will continue evolving to identify unusual activity.
Blockchain Integration: Combining blockchain’s security with AI’s ability to analyze data could create a new level of transparency and accountability. Companies would have detailed records to ensure resources reach communities as intended.
Emerging Technologies: Advancing technologies like quantum computing and natural language processing may transform how markets and fund performance are predicted. This could provide more understandable guidance and reassurance during unpredictable times.However, challenges also need to be addressed for responsible AI adoption in finance:
Bias and Discrimination: Because data reflects existing societal biases, machines using that data could inadvertently perpetuate inequalities without oversight.
Data Privacy Concerns: Financial technology must also carefully protect sensitive personal information entrusted to it. Data should only be used as intended to benefit customers, not violate privacy or security.
Regulatory Uncertainty: As the field continues expanding, agreed-upon guidelines become important for all parties. Regulations balancing progress with consumer protection and market stability can encourage innovation while remedying unexpected issues quickly.With coordination and good intentions, challenges can inspire solutions. Ensuring dignity and equal treatment for all opens new opportunities for prosperity wherever any group was previously disadvantaged. Together through open discussion and cooperation, the financial system’s transformations can strengthen communities for the future.
The Future is Now
The effects of AI are already emerging in financial services, yet its potential to positively transform the industry going forward is vast. When guided responsibly, these innovations augment rather than replace human strengths. AI can maximize access to expertise while reducing repetitive tasks, allowing focus on complex work where compassion makes a difference.Continued cooperation between technology, policy, and community can ensure AI’s benefits are broadly shared. Oversight addressing biases while protecting sensitive data as technologies advance will help strengthen financial security for all. Regulations developed through open discussion can encourage progress fairly rather than inadvertently increase disparities.
