Visionary Voices
Herculean Evolution of Financial Services
The Herculean Evolution of Financial Services
AI Won’t Replace Senior Experts—It Will Elevate Them
Despite fears of AI displacing jobs, Stephen sees a different picture:
“Every output from a GenAI model today still needs a human expert—someone who understands the domain—to validate, correct, and apply the results.”
While AI will automate routine tasks, it enhances the value of seasoned practitioners who can bring context, judgment, and credibility to the table. In essence, AI becomes a force multiplier—not a replacement—for senior expertise.
Regulatory Complexity Is the Next Big Barrier
“If you’re operating in Europe under the EU AI Act and also in the U.S. under a different regulatory landscape, what’s your global policy? Do you adopt the highest standard across the board?”
As regulatory frameworks diverge globally, financial services firms face difficult decisions. Should they apply a high-water mark standard globally? Or attempt to tailor compliance region by region? Navigating these questions requires a blend of legal, operational, and strategic insight—making regulatory-aware innovation an imperative.
AI Brings a New Cost Discipline for CFOs
AI adoption isn’t just a technical or regulatory challenge—it’s a financial one.
“Smart organizations will need strategies to manage AI-related costs while maximizing ROI,” Stephen notes. “This is where practitioners with real-world experience have an edge over generalist consultants.”
From compute costs to implementation overhead, organizations will need clear value frameworks to make sustainable AI investments.
The Power of Practitioner-Led Consulting
Stephen is a strong advocate for “CIO practitioner consulting”—engagements led by people who have done the work themselves.
“You need people who deeply understand the industry and have sat in the chair. That’s what drives results.”
He recalls a multi-year engagement with a Tier 1 global bank that spanned AI innovation, mainframe decommissioning, and full-stack transformation. The reason it succeeded? The team was led by former CIOs who understood the client’s business, constraints, and technical reality from first-hand experience.
Looking Ahead: Three Priorities for FS Technology Leaders
1
Modernize Data Infrastructure: Before AI can generate business value, firms must address the foundational issue of fragmented, aging data systems.
2
Prioritize Practitioner-Led Strategy: Successful transformation requires advisors who understand both the business and technology—not just one side of the equation.
3
Build Regulatory-Aware Innovation Models: Navigating global regulatory complexity is no longer optional. Innovation must align with evolving compliance expectations.
The Bottom Line
Transformation in financial services isn’t about adopting shiny new tools—it’s about making the right strategic choices, supported by people who’ve done the work before. The firms that win will be those who pair AI and data capabilities with practitioner expertise and domain fluency.
If you’re leading technology transformation in financial services and need partners who’ve walked in your shoes—let’s talk.
Visionary Voices
