The future of artificial intelligence (AI): The rise of autonomous AI systems and their potential in banking
Abstract
This paper explores the transformative potential of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) — autonomous, goal-driven artificial intelligence systems — within the banking sector. Building on the widespread adoption of generative AI (GenAI) as a standard tool for content creation and summarisation, the paper examines how agentic AI represents the next evolutionary step: moving from reactive assistance to proactive, autonomous execution of complex workflows. It outlines the crucial differences between GenAI and agentic AI, emphasising the latter’s ability to plan, coordinate and make decisions with minimal human input. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of agentic AI’s capabilities, its autonomy spectrum and its growing adoption across industries, with banking, financial services and insurance leading the way. Practical examples illustrate how agentic AI can transform processes such as loan approvals, fraud detection and compliance checks, while multi-agent systems enable collaborative automation of intricate tasks. The discussion also addresses crucial prerequisites for successful implementation, including workforce readiness, governance frameworks, technology architecture and robust data foundations. Readers will gain insights into the strategic implications of agentic AI, learn how to identify suitable use cases and understand the phased approach required for deployment in highly regulated environments. By the end of the paper, decision makers will be equipped with knowledge on aligning agentic AI with business objectives, mitigating risks and leveraging this technology to enhance operational agility, scalability and resilience — ultimately positioning their institutions for long-term competitiveness in an increasingly digital landscape. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Tobias Tenner is the head of the Digital Finance department at the Association of German Banks, where his team functions as a think tank. His work focuses on topics such as tokenisation, decentralised finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and digital sovereignty. Previously, Tobias managed digital transformation projects as a strategy consultant for one of the Big Four firms and worked as a business consultant in the capital markets sector. He began his career as a stock exchange broker. Tobias holds a degree in economics and business administration.
Nora Glasmeier studied Political Science, spending a year in China during her undergraduate studies and another year in the USA during graduate school. She began her career in IT regulation at PwC in 2017, focusing on IT compliance for banks. Since the publication of EU AI Act in 2021, Nora has specialised in its application to financial services, establishing herself as an expert on AI in banking. After four years at the association of cooperative banks, she joined the Association of German Banks in February 2025, where she works in the Digital Finance department.
