FINANCE
FINANCE
INTRODUCTION
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, with the financial sector being
one of the major beneficiaries of its advancements. AI refers to the ability of machines to
perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, including learning, reasoning,
problem-solving, and pattern recognition (Goodfellow et al., 2019). In finance, AI helps
process large amounts of data, automates repetitive tasks, and provides more accurate insights
for decision-making.
The application of AI in finance dates back to the early days of algorithmic trading, however,
recent advancements in machine learning, a subset of AI, have allowed financial institutions
to deploy more sophisticated models that can analyze vast datasets, predict trends, detect
anomalies, and automate services, such as robo-advisors and chatbots (Chen et al., 2020). AI
now powers fraud detection systems, credit scoring mechanisms, risk assessments, and high-
frequency trading platforms, optimizing financial operations like never before.
AI plays a vital role in modern finance due to the increased complexity of financial products
and the sheer volume of transactions. It offers several critical benefits, such as:
2. Machine Learning (ML): A subset of AI that enables computers to learn from data
without being explicitly programmed, improving their performance on specific tasks
over time (Brown et al., 2021).
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3. Deep Learning (DL): A type of machine learning that uses neural networks with
many layers (also called deep neural networks) to model complex patterns in large
datasets (Goodfellow et al., 2019).
The goal of this seminar is to analyze the application of AI technologies in the financial
sector, focusing on how they optimize operations and improve decision-making. Specifically,
this seminar aims to:
Explore AI's contributions to fraud detection, credit scoring, algorithmic trading, and
customer service.
Discuss the regulatory and ethical challenges faced by financial institutions deploying
AI.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The integration of Artificial Intelligence in finance has progressed significantly over the past
four decades, transforming the way financial institutions operate. During the 1980s, financial
firms first began utilizing AI for automated trading systems, which relied on simple rule-
based algorithms. These algorithms enabled the execution of trades with minimal human
intervention, marking the start of AI's influence on financial markets (Goodfellow et al.,
2019).
Today, AI technologies such as deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and
robotic process automation (RPA) are widely used in banking, insurance, and investment
management. These technologies have opened new avenues for personalized financial
services, enhanced fraud detection, and automated customer service (Brown et al., 2021).
AI technologies applied in finance span multiple fields, providing a diverse set of tools to
enhance financial processes.
Deep Learning: Deep learning models, which are inspired by the human brain’s
structure, are increasingly used in high-frequency trading (HFT) and fraud detection.
These models can process large volumes of data, recognize intricate patterns, and
continuously improve their decision-making over time. For example, in credit card
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fraud detection, deep learning models have outperformed traditional rule-based
systems by recognizing suspicious transactions in real-time (Chen et al., 2020).
Algorithmic Trading: Algorithmic trading has become one of AI's most impactful
contributions to finance. By processing vast datasets in milliseconds, AI algorithms
optimize trade execution strategies and exploit market inefficiencies at a speed that is
unattainable for human traders (Chen et al., 2020). Hedge funds and investment banks
increasingly rely on algorithmic trading to increase profit margins, improve liquidity,
and reduce risks associated with manual trading errors.
Credit Scoring: Traditional credit scoring models often rely on a limited range of
data, leading to biased outcomes. AI-driven credit scoring expands this by analyzing a
broader range of data, such as social media behavior, real-time transaction patterns,
and alternative financial histories. This allows financial institutions to evaluate
creditworthiness more accurately and offer credit to underserved populations (Owen
et al., 2020).
Data Privacy and Security: Financial institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive
data, which makes them prime targets for cyberattacks. AI systems that process this
data must comply with strict data protection regulations such as the General Data
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Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe (Zhang et al., 2019). Moreover, ensuring the
security of AI systems themselves is paramount to avoid the risk of malicious actors
manipulating these systems for fraudulent purposes.
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CHAPTER THREE
DISCUSSION
We are already seeing several areas in banking services that have been taking advantage of
this disruptive technology. The following are some use cases where AI has been most
impactful within the BFSI industry.
Fraud Detection & Prevention: Until very recently, banks have relied on traditional,
rule-based Anti-Money Laundering (AML) transaction monitoring and name
screening systems which generate a high number of false positives. With the alarming
increase in fraud-related crimes and ever-changing fraud patterns, enhanced AI
components are being added to the existing systems to enable the identification of
previously undetected transactional patterns, data anomalies and suspicious
relationships between individuals and entities. This allows for a more proactive
approach, where AI is used to prevent fraud before it happens as opposed to the
traditional reactive approach to fraud detection.
Predictive Analytics: The advent of Machine Learning (ML) & AI has opened the
door to accurate forecasting and prediction. Data Analytics and AI are being applied
to revenue forecasting, stock price predictions, risk monitoring and case management.
The exponential increase in the data collected has been pivotal in improving the
performance of the models, resulting in a gradual decline in the level of human
intervention required.
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AI is used to determine the creditworthiness of the facility borrower by harnessing data to
predict the probability of default which helps to improve the accuracy of credit decisions.
As a result, the market is moving towards insights-driven lending rather than expert
judgments, which helps maximize rejection of high-risks customers and minimize
rejection of creditworthy customers as well as a reduction in credit losses incurred by /the
financial institutions.
Fraud is one of the most significant challenges faced by financial institutions. With the rising
complexity of financial transactions, traditional fraud detection methods are often ineffective
in detecting sophisticated fraud schemes. AI has proven to be an effective tool for fraud
prevention due to its ability to learn patterns from vast datasets and detect anomalies in real
time.
AI-based fraud detection systems use machine learning algorithms to analyze historical
transaction data and recognize patterns that could indicate fraudulent activities. These
systems continuously learn and evolve as they process more data, enabling them to adapt to
new types of fraud. For example, PayPal implemented an AI-powered fraud detection system
that reduced fraud rates by analyzing billions of transactions and identifying suspicious
behaviors (Srinivasan et al., 2021). By leveraging AI, PayPal was able to improve the
accuracy of its fraud detection process and reduce false positives, which are common in rule-
based fraud detection systems.
Another case is JP Morgan Chase, which utilizes AI-driven models to detect fraud in wire
transfers. The bank implemented an AI system that can scan over 150 variables per
transaction, identifying subtle anomalies that might indicate fraud. This proactive approach
has led to a significant decrease in fraudulent wire transfers, providing greater security for
both the bank and its customers (Brown et al., 2021).
Traditional credit scoring models are primarily based on factors like income, credit history,
and debt-to-income ratio. However, these models can be limited in scope and may not
provide an accurate picture of a borrower’s creditworthiness, especially in the case of
individuals with limited credit history (Zhang et al., 2019). AI has revolutionized the credit
scoring process by introducing new methods that incorporate alternative data sources such as
social media behavior, mobile phone usage, and online transaction patterns.
For example, Zest AI, a fintech company, uses machine learning algorithms to assess credit
risk by analyzing over 10,000 data points, including financial and non-financial information.
This approach allows Zest AI to make more accurate credit risk assessments, particularly for
those who are typically underserved by traditional models. As a result, Zest AI has helped
reduce defaults while providing credit access to more individuals (Zhang et al., 2019).
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individuals in developing markets. This has enabled lenders to expand credit access to people
who lack formal credit histories, empowering financial inclusion (Kumar & Rani, 2019).
Algorithmic trading, which involves using pre-programmed algorithms to execute trades, has
become more prevalent with advancements in AI and machine learning technologies. AI
models can analyze vast amounts of market data in real-time, identifying patterns and making
split-second decisions to execute trades at optimal prices. This has given institutional
investors a competitive edge in financial markets by improving speed and efficiency.
One notable case study is Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund that uses AI and machine
learning to make highly sophisticated trades. The firm’s flagship Medallion Fund uses
complex AI models to analyze historical market data and predict future trends. This approach
has resulted in consistently high returns, even during periods of market volatility (Chen et al.,
2020).
Similarly, Goldman Sachs has implemented AI-driven trading algorithms that optimize the
execution of large trades, minimizing price impact and reducing transaction costs. AI models
allow the bank to adapt to changing market conditions and make real-time decisions that
would be impossible for human traders to replicate (Owen et al., 2020).
For instance, Betterment, a popular robo-advisor, uses AI to manage over $30 billion in
assets. The platform offers automated portfolio management, tax-loss harvesting, and
financial planning services at a fraction of the cost of traditional financial advisors. This has
allowed Betterment to attract a diverse range of investors, from millennials looking to save
for retirement to high-net-worth individuals seeking tax-efficient investment strategies
(Kumar & Rani, 2019).
AI has also emerged as a key tool for regulatory compliance in finance, commonly referred to
as “RegTech.” Financial institutions must comply with a range of regulations related to anti-
money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC) requirements, and data privacy. AI
solutions can streamline the compliance process by automating the collection, verification,
and monitoring of customer data. These systems can identify suspicious activities, automate
reporting, and reduce the risk of non-compliance.
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HSBC, for example, has implemented AI-powered RegTech solutions to automate its AML
compliance processes. The AI system scans vast amounts of transaction data, identifying
suspicious patterns that may indicate money laundering. This has resulted in faster and more
accurate compliance checks, reducing the burden on human compliance officers and
improving regulatory outcomes (Brown et al., 2021).
CHAPTER FOUR
CONCLUSION
In diagnostics, AI-powered tools are already outperforming humans in certain areas like
image recognition, where they can detect abnormalities in medical scans with higher
accuracy. In treatment, AI is at the forefront of precision medicine, where individual genetic
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profiles are analyzed to create targeted therapies, particularly in cancer treatment.
Additionally, AI's role in patient monitoring, through wearables and remote health systems,
allows for continuous health surveillance, reducing hospital readmissions and ensuring timely
medical interventions.
The adoption of AI in healthcare brings numerous benefits that are not limited to just clinical
settings but extend to administrative, research, and operational efficiency.
While AI in healthcare offers transformative potential, it also comes with several limitations
and ethical concerns that need to be addressed to ensure its responsible and equitable use.
1. Data Privacy and Security: AI relies on vast amounts of sensitive patient data to
function effectively. The collection, storage, and sharing of this data pose significant
privacy and security risks, especially if healthcare systems are breached. It is
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imperative that stringent cybersecurity measures be implemented to protect this
sensitive information (Char et al., 2018).
2. Algorithmic Bias: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If the
data used to train AI algorithms is biased, it may result in unequal treatment across
different demographics. For example, underrepresentation of certain ethnic or gender
groups in training data could lead to inaccurate diagnoses or treatment
recommendations for those populations. Addressing this bias is critical to ensuring
that AI enhances, rather than exacerbates, healthcare disparities (Jiang et al., 2020).
3. Transparency and Accountability: Many AI models, particularly those based on
deep learning, function as "black boxes," where the decision-making process is not
easily explainable or interpretable by humans. In healthcare, where lives are at stake,
it is crucial to have transparent and interpretable AI systems to ensure accountability.
The concept of "explainable AI" (XAI) is gaining traction, aiming to make AI systems
more understandable to healthcare providers and patients alike (Esteva et al., 2019).
4. Regulatory and Legal Challenges: The rapid pace of AI development outstrips the
ability of regulatory bodies to create comprehensive frameworks to govern its use.
Clear regulations must be established to ensure patient safety, ethical use of AI
technologies, and legal recourse in cases of AI-related errors (Char et al., 2018).
The widespread adoption of AI in healthcare also raises broader ethical and societal
questions. As AI continues to automate more healthcare tasks, there are concerns about job
displacement, particularly for administrative and diagnostic roles. While AI will likely
augment human capabilities rather than replace them entirely, it is essential to consider how
the healthcare workforce will adapt to these changes.
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2. AI-Powered Drug Discovery: AI is revolutionizing the field of drug discovery by
accelerating the process of identifying potential new drugs. By simulating drug
interactions and predicting the success of clinical trials, AI could drastically reduce
the time and cost required to bring new treatments to market (Topol, 2020).
3. Remote Healthcare Delivery: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the
adoption of telemedicine, and AI is playing a crucial role in this transformation. AI-
powered virtual assistants and chatbots are being developed to triage patients, provide
real-time medical advice, and streamline remote patient monitoring. This trend is
likely to continue, improving access to healthcare, particularly in underserved or rural
areas (Zhang et al., 2020).
4. AI and Robotics in Surgery: AI-driven robots are already assisting surgeons in
performing minimally invasive procedures. Future innovations in robotics and AI are
expected to make surgeries even more precise and less invasive, reducing recovery
times and improving patient outcomes.
The future of healthcare will likely be a partnership between human expertise and machine
intelligence, where AI augments, rather than replaces, the role of healthcare professionals.
With careful oversight, robust regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations at the
forefront, AI has the potential to create a more equitable, efficient, and personalized
healthcare system that improves outcomes for patients worldwide.
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