Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, and the banking sector is no exception.
The rapid advancements in AI technology are reshaping the way financial institutions operate, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, innovation and enhanced customer experiences. However, it is important to use this powerful technology responsibly. In this blog post, we will delve into AI’s increasing role in the industry, the associated risks and cybersecurity challenges and the benefits it brings to financial institutions.
AI’s Increasing Prevalence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been steadily advancing in the tech industry for over a decade. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google and IBM are consistently revealing new developments in their applications of AI, demonstrating the demand for this technology.
According to analysts, the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT amassed an impressive 100 million users within just two months of its launch. This makes ChatGPT one of the fastest growing platforms to date, second to Threads, a social media app which was launched by Meta earlier this month. This achievement further emphasizes the keen interest and widespread adoption of AI technologies. While AI platforms may be used casually for personal tasks like building a weekly grocery list, ChatGPT and other AI tools are predicted to have immense impacts on industries and social institutions.
In a thought-provoking blog called “The Age of AI has Begun,” Bill Gates shared his dreams and predictions of AI doing so much good: fighting climate change, reducing poverty and disease, shrinking gaps in education and boosting productivity across every sector in the workforce. Gates and many others who have tried AI tools feel we are currently witnessing the early stages of a technology that will undoubtedly shape our lives in profound ways.
Four months have passed since Gates published those insights, but this week he followed up on his statements by releasing a new letter discussing the continuously rising concerns surrounding AI technology. This recent letter, plus the vast amount AI content from media outlets since the launch of ChatGPT addresses what so many members of the workforce are thinking: what are the consequences, threats and risks of AI? While Gates and other thought leaders have addressed AI’s impact on from governments and democracy to human connection, this blog will focus on how AI is impacting credit unions.
AI Risks Facing Credit Unions
Articles with intimidating headlines such as “‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Leaves Google and Warns of Danger Ahead” have raised awareness of the flaws in AI and generated fear about the emerging technology.
The conclusion that many of these articles reach is that while AI offers tremendous opportunities, it also poses potential risks and cybersecurity challenges for various industries, including the financial sector. Credit unions who implement AI processes may face these three associated risks:
- Target for data breach: AI systems handle a lot of sensitive customer information, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Hackers may try to gain unauthorized access to the AI system databases or storage repositories to steal valuable customer information, such as personal data, financial records, or login credentials.
- Expanded attack surface: AI systems in the financial ecosystem are interconnected creating an expanded attack surface for cyber threats. It is crucial for credit unions to establish comprehensive cybersecurity measures to safeguard customer data and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
- Biased decision-making: AI and machines are not necessarily neutral. If trained on biased datasets or flawed algorithms, AI can inadvertently perpetuate discrimination in lending practices, loan approvals, or credit scoring. Credit unions must vigilantly monitor and address biases within any AI models to ensure fairness, avoid regulatory scrutiny and uphold their commitment to equal opportunities for all members.
Leveraging AI in Your Credit Union
When credit unions take proper steps to mitigate the risks, AI becomes an invaluable tool. Some common processes that utilize artificial intelligence include:
Natural Language Processing and Chatbots. Chatbots act as AI-powered virtual assistants, providing round-the-clock customer support, streamlining interactions and offering personalized recommendations. Chatbots leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms in order to understand customer inquiries, provide instant responses, and assist with account inquiries, transaction history and basic financial advice.
Fraud Detection. AI-powered fraud detection systems are crucial in combating financial crimes. By analyzing vast amounts of data and employing machine learning algorithms, these systems can identify suspicious activities and potential fraud in real-time. AI detects patterns and anomalies, enabling financial institutions to proactively prevent fraud. Compared to traditional methods, AI-powered fraud detection offers several advantages, including increased accuracy, reduced false positives and improved operational efficiency.
Personalization. Customer satisfaction in the financial industry relies on personalization. AI enables financial institutions to deliver tailored experiences by analyzing customer data, preferences and behavior patterns. With AI algorithms, you can recommend personalized products and services, offer targeted financial advice, and anticipate customer needs. This level of personalization fosters stronger customer relationships and increases engagement.
Robo-advisors. These AI-powered platforms provide automated and algorithm-driven financial planning and investment advice. Robo-advisors leverage AI algorithms to analyze customer data, risk profiles and investment goals to offer personalized investment strategies. These platforms have gained popularity due to their accessibility, cost-effectiveness and ability to provide tailored investment recommendations based on individual circumstances. Robo-advisors enable financial institutions to offer scalable investment advisory services to a wider range of members.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA involves the use of AI and machine learning algorithms to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks. Financial institutions can leverage RPA to streamline operations, reduce manual errors and enhance efficiency. RPA can automate processes such as data entry, document verification, compliance checks, and account reconciliation. This means freeing up human resources for more complex and strategic tasks.
Artificial Intelligence has, and will continue to transform the financial industry, as it offers unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, innovation and improved customer experiences. However, along with these benefits, there are risks and cybersecurity challenges that financial institutions need to address. It is crucial to strike a balance between embracing the benefits of AI and mitigating the associated ethical and cyber related risks to ensure a secure and fair financial environment for all stakeholders.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Celero can help alleviate any cybersecurity worries you may have by offering your credit union comprehensive management, mitigation, and resolution of security issues. To learn more about how Celero can assist you with all your security needs and questions, talk to your Celero Account Executive or contact us.
