Sumitomo Mitsui gets all chatty with AI » Banking Technology

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and its partners have unveiled an automated chat service using artificial intelligence (AI) to offer guidance to customers in Japan. SMFG is working with SMBC Nikko Securities, NTT Communications, with support from Accenture Japan, and their service will become available on 25 May 2017 at SMBC's contact centre to improve its LINE-based inquiry service. LINE is a freeware app for instant communications on electronic devices. Once launched this month, the AI chatbot will provide guidance on ways to open accounts as well as on initial public offerings (IPO) and NISA (a type of Japanese individual savings account). They also plan to expand the service to include such things as share price inquiries and investment trust selection.