Smarter finance starts with AI

AI in Finance: a strategic imperative for the digital era

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial world at an unprecedented pace, reshaping aspects such as fraud prevention and credit assessment to customer service and investment advice. As financial institutions evolve under Open Finance into more open and data-rich ecosystems, AI provides the analytical power and speed needed to effectively harness this data. What was managed through spreadsheets and manual checks is now driven by real-time insights and intelligent automation.

AI as strategic necessity

For financial organisations, adopting AI is no longer optional - it is a strategic necessity. AI can detect fraud patterns within milliseconds, automate routine compliance tasks, and deliver hyper-personalised customer experiences at scale. Banks and fintechs that embrace AI not only reduce operational costs but also gain a significant advantage in customer engagement, risk management, and innovation. As open banking APIs become the standard, AI enables institutions to unlock new value from shared financial data.

AI Act

The growing use of AI has increased the focus on trust, fairness, and transparency. In response, the European Union introduced the AI Act—a landmark regulation that classifies financial AI systems, like credit scoring and fraud detection, as “high-risk.” The law is being phased in and will take full effect by August 2, 2027. Providers must ensure system explainability, prevent bias, and maintain oversight—ensuring financial innovation does not compromise consumer rights or regulatory compliance.

Now is the time for financial institutions to act. Those who integrate AI into their core operations in an ethical and responsible manner will not only stay ahead of regulatory requirements but also help shape the future of Open Finance. By combining powerful machine learning with open, secure financial data, the sector can deliver smarter and more trustworthy services than ever before.

The Impacts of the AI Act on Existing use cases.

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The AI Act is moving from proposal to reality, bringing new expectations for how AI is developed, deployed, and governed. In this video, Sopra Steria experts Marine Lecomte and Julien Bacus explain what the regulation means for existing AI use cases in the financial sector. They outline how to identify impacted systems, ensure short-term compliance, and prepare for long-term changes. More than just a legal shift, the AI Act is a chance to build trust and resilience into AI. Learn how to turn regulation into an opportunity for responsible innovation and future-proofing your AI strategy.

Digital Banking Experience 2025

Sopra Steria has conducted research into the banking landscape in the Netherlands and Belgium. This Digital Banking Experience 2025 report shows that Dutch and Belgian banks are the most digitally mature in Europe. Most Dutch (84%) and Belgian (86%) customers are active online.

But Net Promoter Scores remain low. And in a market, this digitally advanced, that disconnect matters. Dutch and Belgian banks are feeling the pressure of new regulations, cloud-native challengers, and fintech platforms that are changing how customers manage their money.

Download the reports to learn:

Why even high-performing digital channels aren’t earning loyalty
How DORA is driving real changes in outsourcing and ICT governance
Where GenAI is delivering early wins, and where scale is proving difficult
How embedded finance is reshaping customer expectations, from gig apps to integrated wallets
Why compliance pressures are mounting
Why cyber risks are more complex than ever
Why digital exclusion can no longer be ignored

The Dutch Report	The Belgian Report

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Quantum Computing, the next thing after AI

Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations much faster than traditional computers. For financial organisations, this is especially important because it can revolutionise areas such as risk analysis, portfolio optimisation, fraud detection, and pricing complex derivatives. With quantum computing, financial institutions can process vast datasets more efficiently, uncover hidden patterns, and make more accurate predictions— giving them a significant competitive edge in a fast-paced, data-driven industry.

But there is also a downside. With their massive computation power, quantum computers are predicted to be able to crack most of the cryptographic systems which are widely used by the banking industry to protect all their services and transactions. The day that quantum computers are able to surpass the processing power of traditional computing systems is referred to as "Q-Day". This day poses a significant existential threat to national security, as well as the global financial system.