The new AI wave in banking operations: a discussion with Microsoft

Episode 29 of Banking Reinvented takes a closer look at how generative AI and agentic architectures are not just tools for efficiency but essential drivers for rethinking operations and enabling innovation in banking.Tim Rutten welcomes Kathleen Woodard, who leads Microsoft’s industry advisory team for banking in the Americas. They discuss AI’s role in streamlining workflows, improving operational models, and accelerating decision-making. The conversation highlights how banks can align leadership, talent, and technology to adopt AI responsibly while navigating regulatory constraints.Tune in to gain fresh perspectives on the transformative potential of AI and actionable insights to thrive in this pivotal era for banking.Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Kathleen WoodardStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hub(00:00) - Welcome to the ‘Banking Reinvented’ podcast(00:38) - Introduction of Kathleen Woodard and her role at Microsoft(01:59) - Generative AI adoption trends and Bain report insights(05:03) - How agentic architectures transform banking workflows(08:58) - Microsoft’s internal use of AI and productivity improvements(10:16) - Challenges with AI adoption in banking(19:16) - Conversational AI and hyper-personalized customer experiences(24:43) - Risks of falling behind in the AI wave(35:00) - A top-down and bottom-up approach to deploying AI(33:40) - Leadership’s role in embracing AI and actionable advice(39:18) - Episode wrap-up