The second session of the KEY TECH Conference, dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence, delivered a powerful and urgent message:
Banks that fail to adopt AI in the coming years will lose their competitiveness.
This statement set the foundation for an insightful panel discussion featuring leaders from AVO Bank, Mikrokreditbank, InfinBANK, and Sbertex, moderated by Ulugbek Tavakkalov of Kapitalbank. Together, they explored how AI is reshaping modern banking and why ignoring its rise is no longer an option.
AI Has Moved From Experimentation to Necessity
Across the panel, one theme was evident:
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic experiment — it is a practical, everyday tool that drives efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Rashid Lakhlu of AVO Bank highlighted the internal challenges of integrating advanced technologies into existing processes.
He shared that their AI journey began with risk assessment and anti-fraud management, two areas where AI immediately proved its value.
“We began with risk and anti-fraud management. In these areas, AI demonstrated its best potential. However, achieving results requires restructuring and re-establishing interactions between departments,”
— Rashid Lakhlu, AVO Bank
His point underscores an important truth: adopting AI is not only a technological shift but an organizational transformation.
AI Thrives Where Data Is Rich — And Banking Has Plenty
According to Aziz Siyoyev of InfinBANK, the banking sector is uniquely positioned for AI success. Banks already possess:
- Massive volumes of structured financial data
- Strong technological infrastructure
- Clear workflows that benefit from automation
- High customer expectations for personalization
This combination provides fertile ground for AI-driven solutions.
From more accurate credit scoring to hyper-personalized financial services, the results in many banks have been remarkable.
AI-Native Banking: The Next Big Leap
Sbertex representative Yaroslav Uporov introduced the concept of AI-native banking, where artificial intelligence is not an add-on but an integral part of every product and service.
“The question now is not whether to implement artificial intelligence, but how to do so responsibly. A human-centered approach remains the main criterion,”
— Yaroslav Uporov, Sbertex
The focus, therefore, is shifting from adoption to responsible implementation — where transparency, ethics, and user trust stay at the center.
Learning From AI’s Mistakes: A Necessary Step
Despite AI’s rapid progress, the discussion also highlighted its limitations.
AVO Bank shared an unexpected incident:
When they automated selfie verification, the average deposit size decreased.
This surprising outcome reinforced a crucial point:
AI requires continuous monitoring, validation, and technical expertise.
Models can make errors, not because the technology is flawed, but because user behavior changes and internal processes evolve.
Why Generative AI Isn’t Used for Scoring (Yet)
While generative models (GenAI) are transforming many industries, experts agreed that they are not yet suitable for credit scoring.
The reason is simple:
Their decisions are hard to explain.
Banks still depend on classical machine learning methods where recommendations and risk assessments can be fully justified and audited — a critical requirement in regulated financial environments.
The Bottom Line: AI Will Define Who Wins in Banking
The session concluded with one undeniable insight:
Artificial intelligence is now a core determinant of banking success.
Banks that adopt AI will see improvements in:
- Profitability
- Operational efficiency
- Fraud prevention
- Customer satisfaction
- Market competitiveness
Those who delay adoption risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
AI is no longer a luxury for banks — it is a strategic imperative.
In the coming years, the leaders in the banking ecosystem will be the institutions that master AI, integrate it responsibly, and use it to build smarter, more transparent, and customer-centric financial systems.