AI is in banking: is the talent ready?

tl;dr:

• poland's financial sector is rapidly embracing AI, with ≈40% of firms using it for analytics and fraud detection, making Poland an EU frontrunner.
• 85% of Polish firms are struggling to find AI-savvy talent leading to willingness to offer ≈28% higher salaries.
• an estimated one in five workers are in jobs highly exposed to AI. Upskilling is necessary to pivot to strategic, oversight, and client roles.
• professionals must ensure AI systems comply with EU regulations (DORA) and upcoming Polish law (Draft AI Act), necessitating robust ethical and governance frameworks.
• success requires mastering Data Literacy, Process Automation (RPA) (critical in Polish SSCs), and local regulatory compliance (KSeF, Polski Ład).

AI in banking isn't a futuristic fantasy - it's happening now, and its footprint is only going to get bigger. The ability of Artificial Intelligence to process vast data, identify complex patterns, and make real-time decisions is driving a new era of efficiency and innovation across the globe. Poland is no exception. As AI automates routine processes, the demand for AI-savvy talent in the financial and accounting sectors is soaring. It's not merely about the technology; it's about the skilled individuals who can strategically harness its power.

The rapid integration of AI brings a crucial question to the fore: is the current workforce ready for this profound transformation? We must explore whether the local talent pool is adequately prepared for the AI-powered future of banking and finance.

the evolution of AI in banking.

AI is already proving its worth across various banking functions, from sophisticated fraud detection and improved credit scoring to delivering truly personalised customer experiences. For example, major Polish financial institutions like PKO Bank Polski are utilising AI-powered chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support, improving transaction assistance and customer engagement. Similarly, Bank Millennium is leveraging AI-driven financial management tools to offer tailored advice and transaction monitoring, showcasing how AI boosts efficiency while enhancing customer loyalty in Poland's competitive banking sector. 

The adoption rate is substantial: approximately 40% of firms in the financial services industry are already leveraging AI for applications such as financial analysis, predictive analytics, and human resource management processes. This indicates AI's significant potential for both cost reduction and revenue growth in the Polish F&A sector.

the skill gap: is talent ready for AI?

Despite the demonstrable potential of AI, the workforce faces a challenge in keeping pace with this technological shift. A major hurdle is the persistent shortage of professionals with the right blend of technical and strategic skills to manage, implement, and scale AI technologies effectively.

The demand for specialised AI talent - particularly Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and AI Specialists - is intensifying. Polish companies are actively scrambling to fill these roles. 

However, the need for upskilling extends beyond purely technical roles. Employees in areas like risk management, compliance, and customer service will increasingly need to work alongside AI systems. Success with AI, therefore, depends less on the technology itself and more on the ability of the Polish workforce to adapt and adopt these new tools.

how AI will change F&A jobs.

AI is not simply about replacing jobs; it is fundamentally transforming them. Research from the Polish Economic Institute (PIE) suggests that approximately one in five Polish workers holds a job most exposed to the impact of AI, with finance professionals being explicitly identified among the top vulnerable occupational groups. This significant exposure in the financial and insurance sectors indicates the potential for intensive use of AI in process automation and data analysis.

However, the same analysis underscores that AI will create new, strategic roles. Key growth areas will include AI development, data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The shift will see AI automating repetitive, data-intensive tasks (such as invoice processing and compliance reporting), allowing human roles to become more strategic. The focus will move to oversight, ethical consideration, complex problem-solving, and maintaining critical customer and stakeholder relationships.

technologies and competencies to master for AI-readiness.

To thrive in the age of AI in F&A, professionals must familiarise themselves with key technologies and strategic competencies:

key technical skills

• machine learning (ML): Understanding ML algorithms is crucial for banking functions, such as sophisticated fraud detection and enhanced credit risk assessment.
• data science: Proficiency in data handling, analysis, and data visualisation is essential. Polish F&A professionals must be able to extract actionable insights from vast financial data to drive strategic decisions.
• process automation (RPA): Understanding Robotic Process Automation is key. RPA is particularly popular in Shared Service Centers (SSCs) in cities like Kraków and Wrocław, automating routine, high-volume tasks like invoice processing and compliance reporting.
• cloud computing: Since AI in banking requires significant computing power, familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) is vital for deploying and scaling AI models, a trend also observed in the AI ecosystem. 

essential strategic competencies.

• AI ethics and risk management: Given the sensitivity of financial data and regulatory scrutiny from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), employees must understand the ethical and regulatory implications of AI-driven decisions, including bias, fairness, and accountability.
• regulatory compliance: Professionals must navigate new and evolving legislation, including the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the local implications of the Polish Draft Act on Artificial Intelligence Systems. Furthermore, deep knowledge of local tax regulations like KSeF (National e-Invoicing System) and Polski Ład is necessary to ensure AI-driven processes remain compliant. 

the jobs AI will create in F&A.

The transition to AI is creating new, high-value career paths within the financial sector:

• AI specialists and engineers: These professionals will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimising AI systems that automate complex banking processes, ensuring they are robust and localised.
• data scientists and analysts: Banks will need specialists who can extract actionable insights from vast datasets to inform strategy and improve customer service, particularly through predictive analytics.
• AI governance and ethics experts: These roles will be crucial for ensuring AI models comply with the stringent new regulations, including DORA and the forthcoming Polish AI legislation, and for managing risks associated with high-risk AI systems.
• AI product managers: These individuals will bridge the gap between AI developers and the business side, ensuring AI projects align with the specific strategic goals and customer needs. 

how can F&A talent become AI-ready?

To be truly AI-ready, F&A professionals must embrace continuous learning and upskilling in AI technologies. AI is not simply a technical revolution; it’s a strategic one that requires adaptation at all levels of the organisation.

The future of banking will see AI augmenting human roles, with a distinct focus on innovation, strategic oversight, and strong relationship-building. By investing in critical skills such as machine learning, data science, and AI ethics, professionals can stay relevant and competitive.

Banks and financial institutions must implement robust learning programmes to ensure their talent evolves alongside the technology. As demonstrated by local market trends, AI is augmenting people, not replacing them. Those who are prepared to embrace this change will be at the forefront of the Polish F&A transformation.

FAQs.