US regulators are seeking info on AI in banking, and that could be good news for banks

A group of US banking regulators--including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), among others--has issued a statement that they're seeking public input on the rising usage of AI by financial institutions (FIs), Reuters reports. They specified that they want feedback on "how financial institutions use AI in their activities, including fraud prevention, personalization of customer services, credit underwriting, and other operations." The request for information also seeks to understand whether any clarification from the regulatory agencies would help FIs use AI in a safe way that complies with laws and regulations. Regulatory scrutiny of AI in banking could add to the perceived risk that banks take on when they deploy the technology in their businesses. And any trepidation that banks may feel regarding the deployment of AI may only be heightened by the sense that government bodies have started paying close attention to the presence of AI in the banking industry. But the exploratory interest of regulatory agencies is also a major opportunity for banks and regulators to align on the benefits, pitfalls, and expectations for AI in the sector.