The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in recent years has resulted in a dramatic upheaval in the finance sector. These technologies have substantially shifted how financial institutions function, from enhanced customer experience to fraud detection and risk management. As this technology advances, the applications of AI in finance are unlimited.
In this blog post, we will look at the use cases of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance and how it is changing the sector.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Finance?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a discipline in computer science focusing on the creation of intelligent robots capable of doing activities that normally require human intellect. These activities include visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.
AI in finance refers to using intelligent algorithms and software to automate and improve different financial operations. It helps financial organizations to analyze massive volumes of data, gather insights, and make educated choices in real time. Incorporating AI in finance is altering the sector, allowing businesses to simplify processes, cut costs, and improve client experiences.
Forbes reports that 65% of senior finance management expects AI to improve financial services in some way.
Applications of AI in Finance
Let us now discuss the applications of AI in finance.
AI and Credit Decisions
AI has the ability to alter credit choices by allowing lenders to make more accurate and timely loan decisions. Credit judgments in traditional lending procedures are dependent on manual assessments of an applicant’s creditworthiness, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
AI-powered credit scoring algorithms, on the other hand, can analyze massive quantities of data, such as payment history, credit utilization, and other financial data, to provide a more accurate and objective credit score.
One of the key benefits of AI-powered credit scoring is that it can evaluate creditworthiness by analyzing non-traditional data sources, including social media activity, internet search history, and mobile phone usage. This makes it possible for lenders to make wiser lending decisions, especially in the case of borrowers with weak or no credit histories.
Also Read: Top 6 Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business
AI and Risk Management
One cannot emphasize how AI is changing risk management in the financial services industry. Cognitive computing enables the administration of both structured and unstructured data, while AI systems with enormous processing capacity can handle enormous volumes of data in a fraction of the time it would take a person.
As a result, institutions are better equipped to take preventative steps to reduce risks. This capacity enables algorithms to analyze the history of risk cases and discover early signals of probable future concerns.
Additionally, AI is a useful tool for monitoring current events in any industry or setting. AI is essential for business planning in the financial sector since it offers precise predictions and thorough projections based on several variables.
For instance, Crest Financial, a US leasing firm, used AI on the AWS platform, improving risk analysis significantly without the deployment delays linked to conventional data science techniques. Financial institutions can make better judgments, lower their risk of losses, streamline their processes, and provide their consumers with faster, more effective service thanks to the power of AI.
AI and Fraud Detection
In the battle against financial fraud, the emergence of artificial intelligence in the financial industry has given authorities a potent new tool. Machine learning has been slowly catching up to thieves and offering a more potent line of defense against fraud.
AI has been particularly useful in preventing credit card fraud, which has significantly increased in recent years as a result of the rising popularity of e-commerce and online transactions. Modern fraud detection systems examine customers’ behavior, location, and purchasing trends and alert authorities when transactions stray from predetermined spending patterns.
But among the various financial crimes that banks and other financial institutions deal with is credit card fraud. AI can prevent money laundering, another infamous criminal activity. By identifying questionable behavior and flagging it for additional examination, machine learning algorithms can cut the burden of financial crime detectives by up to 20%.
The level of competition among fintech aggregators has increased in the field of fraud detection. One example is Plaid, which partners with some of the largest names in banking, including CITI, Goldman Sachs, and American Express. Plaid creates a number of distinctive patterns using sophisticated algorithms that analyze transactions under various settings and factors and update them in real time, guaranteeing that their clients’ financial transactions are safe.
Also Read: 12 Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Podcasts That Are Worth Listening
AI and Trading
The growth of data-driven investments has been astounding, with the total amount approaching $1 trillion in 2018. It is also referred to as algorithmic, quantitative, or high-frequency trading, and with the aid of artificial intelligence, it has swiftly spread over the stock markets of the whole world.
Intelligent Trading Systems analyze structured and unstructured data, including news and social media, at a fraction of the time it would take people to do so. Time and money are now more precious than ever because of speedier processing, which also leads to quicker choices and transactions.
Because algorithms can assess trading strategies using historical data before implementing them live, AI-based forecasts for stock performance are more accurate. Additionally, based on the precise short- and long-term objectives of investors, AI may select the strongest portfolios.
Leading business news source Bloomberg has debuted the Alpaca Forecast AI Prediction Matrix, an AI-powered price-forecasting tool for investors. For highly accurate market forecasts, it combines real-time market data with a sophisticated learning engine to find patterns in price movements.
AI and Personalized Banking
With previously unheard-of advantages and conveniences for individual consumers, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way financial services are provided
Intelligent chatbots with AI capabilities provide thorough self-help options to customers, lightening the pressure on contact centers. Voice-controlled virtual assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa, are rapidly gaining popularity because they include a self-education capability that keeps them improving.
Individuals may manage their income, costs, and spending patterns with the aid of personalized financial counseling apps, which are driven by sophisticated technologies and offer optimized plans and financial advice.
Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase are just a few of the top US banks that have released mobile banking applications that simplify transactions, send reminders for bill payments, and allow quick access to information. Banking has never been easier or more streamlined thanks to AI.
AI and Process Automation
Innovative business executives are using robotic process automation to boost production and save operating expenses. Automating laborious, time-consuming procedures that once required thousands of hours of effort, sophisticated character recognition, and artificial intelligence are reducing payroll costs and eliminating human error.
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) reduces expenses by 50% to 70%, freeing up human labor for more complicated operations, according to Ernst & Young. Forbes call is as a “Gateway Drug To Digital Transformation”, highlighting the potential it has to provide a financial institution with new opportunities.
JP Morgan Chase is a leader in the RPA industry and uses it, among other things, to extract data, follow the rules, and record documents. RPA has been named one of the “five emerging technologies” by the company to improve the cash management process.
AI and Regulatory Compliance
The financial sector prioritizes regulatory compliance since noncompliance may result in costly fines and harm to one’s image.
By using AI-powered compliance solutions, institutions can keep up with evolving rules and lower the risk of non-compliance. These technologies have the capacity to instantly analyze vast volumes of data and identify any compliance problems. They can also automate compliance procedures and provide reports, which lighten the pressure on compliance officers.
The monitoring of anti-money laundering (AML) practices is one instance of AI-powered compliance. Financial institutions are required under AML legislation to monitor transactions and report suspicious activities. Institutions may use AI to monitor transactions in real-time, spot suspect behavior, and flag it for more inquiry. This lowers the possibility of money laundering and aids organizations in adhering to AML regulations.
Future Trends of AI in Finance
The use of AI in finance appears to have a bright future and is predicted to transform the sector completely. Here are some likely trends for the future:
- AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants will advance and deliver increasingly personalized client experiences, simplifying and expanding access to banking.
- There will be an increase in the use of predictive analytics as AI continues to analyze vast volumes of data to offer predictions and advice, enhancing risk management and investment choices.
- RPA, which automates repetitive and time-consuming processes, will be utilized more frequently to cut expenses and boost productivity.
- AI-powered fraud detection systems will progress and become more proficient at identifying and stopping financial crimes like credit card fraud and money laundering.
- Together, AI and blockchain technology can increase the speed and security of financial transactions, especially in fields like supply chain management and trade finance.
- Through sophisticated data analysis and monitoring, AI may be utilized to assist financial firms in adhering to regulatory standards, such as anti-money laundering rules.
Also Read: How Dangerous is AI? 5 AI Risks You Should Know About
Conclusion
These were some remarkable use cases of AI in finance. It has brought many more advancements in the finance sector. Financial institutions and banks can now analyze vast amounts of data in a jiffy, detect fraud, make accurate predictions, and provide financial advice.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it will witness many more innovations in finance in the coming years. In a nutshell, AI in finance has been a game-changer.
