The wave of change across industry today is one driven by advanced technologies. Whether you call it AI, machine learning or robotics, in over 30 years I’ve not seen anything that matches the power of these technologies in their ability to radically transform the way that all industries work. These new digital tools are fundamentally changing the world. And not just in the banking sector. It’s important to understand this isn’t just about technology as a specialist topic that sits on its own. It’s about how this technology is fundamentally transforming, quite frankly, everything.

Intelligent platforms have been around a long time, but an increase in computing power means we can now use them in business — with benefits to every type of organisation, not just financial services. From taking care of mundane tasks (so human employees can do more human things, like looking after customers) to forecasting, fraud prevention, investment and experience design, financial organisations are already using these technologies to take leaps forward in the services and strategies they can offer. We’re looking at the potential to make employees happier and more productive while driving amazing new products and services — improving efficiency, accuracy, safety and security.

Once it starts, changes happen at speed. Here are examples happening in financial services right now.

The Bank of America

• Erica, an AI-driven virtual financial assistant, has been used to help customers manage their savings using AI, predictive analytics and conversational interfaces​

N26

• Using an international bank account number, customers use N26 as they would a traditional bank, except faster and from anywhere. The app uses Pulse26, an analytical virtual assistant that provides personal insights based on individual consumer’s needs.

Failure to embrace the amazing opportunities here will only, really be due to poor organisation structure and cultural issues. What many companies don’t realise is that complete organisation reform is needed — not just the introduction of a new technology set. All employees need to understand the level of change that’s happening and to work collaboratively for these advanced technologies to really show their worth.

Your communication strategy here is essential. When change is coming and people don’t understand it, they can become disengaged, which then creates barriers in implementation. It’s therefore crucial to have total fundamental understanding and engagement from all levels of the organisation. It’s really one of the big and most overlooked challenges. Here are some ways to solve it:

Start at the top

Clear and driven senior vision or ownership is vital for this level of organisational transformation, so it’s important to communicate clearly and effectively at board level. While smart machines are highly effective for organisations, leaders are still the first to push this idea forward. Only they can ask the crucial questions needed to capitalise on newly discovered business opportunities in a world of data.

Show technology in action

One problem for people working in AI is that they focus on the technology rather than the outcome. We need to think about how to turn the technological advances into something that both technical and non-technical people appreciate. You can do this by creating powerful examples that show intelligent technology in action, demystifying it while demonstrating the benefits.  

Speak their language

Machine learning, intelligent machines, cognitive platforms — these new digital tools use a language that many find confusing or impenetrable. Finding ways to simplify the terminology and underline their value for executive board members will help bring them on board as well as giving them the tools they need to communicate the changes to their teams. Glossaries can help everyone get to grips with new terminology at their own pace.

Often communication is seen as an afterthought, belonging to the internal communications department. However, when used properly across the entire business, it can be a powerful tool to guide a business forward, bridging the needs of the business and its customers alike. What you have is a unifying platform for employees to get behind and help initiate change at all levels.

If you’re a small business, working with bigger companies and regulators will help. Because a lot of the new technologies are being driven by small, agile innovators, working with regulators or larger organisations helps both sides. From one side the technology matures faster, and from the other you have the awareness of what is state of the art, and where the potential is. So, you’re reinforcing the idea that digital transformation is much more than a big IT initiative and bringing in other business areas early to work on proof of concepts.

Financial services organisations must, like all other businesses, make sure they fully explain the organisational transformation that bringing in these new advanced platforms and capabilities will require. Being clear about the fundamental changes that are happening, how you can incorporate them into your day-to-day activities and the benefits you can expect are crucial steps in taking your organisation into the future.