Keeping an EYE ON AI: Beyond the AI Hype—Building ROI‑Driven, Data‑Led Financial Services

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in financial services—it’s here. But moving from experimentation to real, measurable impact is where many institutions still struggle. In this episode, Erin Earl, Industry Executive Advisor for Financial Services at SAP, sits down with host Sarah Grotta, Chief Fintech Officer at FinWise Bank, for a practical, no‑nonsense conversation about what it really takes to make AI work in banking. Drawing on decades of leadership experience across global banks, fintechs, and enterprise technology, Erin cuts through the hype and shares what financial institutions actually need to focus on to turn AI investments into business outcomes. Listeners will learn: Why so many AI pilots fail—and how to avoid “pilot purgatory” by anchoring every initiative to a clear business case and ROI. How banks of all sizes can prioritize the right AI use cases, with real examples where mid‑sized and community institutions are outperforming larger peers. What “AI‑ready data” really means, and why data foundation—not models—is the biggest determinant of AI success. How to structure ownership and governance for AI, balancing innovation, risk management, and regulatory expectations in a highly regulated industry. Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or looking to scale what’s already in production, this episode delivers practical guidance for building data‑led, ROI‑driven financial services—today and for the future.