On the latest episode of FinTech Focus TV, recorded live at FinTech Connect 2024 at the ExCeL Centre in London, host Ian Bailey delves into the transformative world of artificial intelligence in financial services with Ashlea Atigolo, Co-Founder of INATIGO and Finley AI. This conversation offers insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in finance, focusing on how it can be used to enhance workflows, improve productivity, and maintain compliance in a highly regulated industry.
Ashlea’s journey from wealth management to becoming an AI innovator showcases her commitment to redefining financial services through technology. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, finance, and the future of work, particularly for firms and professionals navigating the complexities of FinTech innovation and recruitment.
From Wealth Management to AI Innovation
Ashlea Atigolo’s journey into the realm of artificial intelligence is rooted in her extensive experience in wealth management. Beginning her career at St. James’s Place, the UK’s largest wealth management firm, Ashlea transitioned into co-founding her own digitally led wealth management company. It was here that she first encountered the transformative potential of AI. Leveraging AI and digital onboarding technologies, she identified the opportunity to revolutionise client interactions, sparking her passion for integrating cutting-edge technology into financial solutions.
Recognising the broader implications of AI, Ashlea embarked on a journey to become an AI developer. Her expertise in Google and IBM technologies, including IBM Watson, allowed her to create sophisticated AI solutions tailored to the unique needs of the financial industry. Her early adoption and understanding of AI’s potential positioned her as a trailblazer in the space, laying the foundation for what would become Finley AI. Ashlea’s ability to adapt to the shifting technological landscape is a testament to her resilience and vision.
The Evolution of Finley AI
Finley AI, the flagship product of INATIGO, represents a leap forward in AI applications for finance. Designed as a financial AI agent delivered through an API, it addresses some of the key challenges associated with generative AI in the financial sector, including accuracy, privacy, and domain-specific training. Ashlea’s wealth management background played a pivotal role in shaping the capabilities of Finley AI, ensuring it meets the stringent requirements of the industry.
Starting with a focus on natural language processing (NLP), Finley AI’s development was marked by overcoming the limitations of early generative AI models. As Ashlea recalls, these initial models, available in 2021, were far from perfect. Despite the challenges, she and her team recognised the transformative potential of generative AI and dedicated themselves to refining the technology to suit the needs of financial firms. By integrating domain-specific training, Finley AI became a robust tool capable of handling tasks with precision and reliability, offering firms a practical way to harness the power of AI.
The meticulous development process reflects Ashlea’s commitment to excellence and her ability to foresee the needs of an ever-evolving industry. By bridging the gap between advanced technology and practical application, Finley AI emerged as a transformative solution.
Overcoming Challenges in AI for Finance
One of the central themes of the podcast was the challenge of integrating AI into a heavily regulated industry. Financial services demand precision, accuracy, and strict adherence to compliance standards. Ashlea’s insights into these challenges were particularly compelling, as she described the meticulous process of training Finley AI to adhere to regulatory requirements while maintaining its transformative potential.
INATIGO’s collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2019 underscores its commitment to regulatory compliance. Working with the FCA on an AI voice guidance model, Ashlea and her team gained invaluable experience navigating the complexities of providing guidance without overstepping into giving advice. This collaboration not only enhanced the capabilities of Finl eyAI but also reinforced its credibility as a trusted tool for financial firms.
The challenges Ashlea faced were compounded by the need to stay ahead of regulatory changes. By embedding compliance at the core of Finley AI, she demonstrated a proactive approach to problem-solving, ensuring the tool’s relevance and reliability in a fast-paced environment.
The Role of AI Agents in Financial Services
As the conversation unfolded, Ashlea highlighted the role of AI agents in enhancing productivity and automating workflows within financial services. Finley AI is designed to perform tasks traditionally handled by humans, such as conducting research, compiling reports, and automating repetitive processes. By reducing the time and effort required for these tasks, firms can reallocate resources to more strategic initiatives.
Ashlea emphasised the importance of connecting large language models with domain-specific data to create meaningful solutions. This approach allows Finley AI to deliver precise and contextually relevant outputs, addressing one of the most significant criticisms of generative AI—its tendency to produce inaccurate or irrelevant results when applied to specialised fields like finance.
Through its ability to streamline operations, Finley AI empowers firms to focus on innovation and client satisfaction. Ashlea’s emphasis on practical applications underscores her deep understanding of industry needs and her commitment to creating impactful solutions.
Addressing Industry Concerns
Ian Bailey’s discussion with Ashlea also delved into the broader concerns surrounding AI adoption in financial markets. Many firms remain cautious about implementing AI due to issues such as data privacy, regulatory compliance, and the risk of errors. Ashlea’s response was clear: these concerns are valid but surmountable with the right approach. By building guardrails into the AI framework, such as financial frameworks, risk assessments, and privacy safeguards, Finley AI ensures that firms can confidently integrate AI into their operations.
Ashlea’s insights into the future of AI in financial services were particularly illuminating. She envisions a future where AI agents become an integral part of a firm’s tech stack, not only generating text or audio but also driving meaningful automation and process optimisation. The potential to transform workflows, enhance decision-making, and deliver better outcomes for clients makes AI an indispensable tool for the financial sector.
Her ability to articulate the transformative power of AI while addressing its challenges demonstrates her expertise and her passion for driving positive change in the industry.
Connecting with INATIGO
As the episode concluded, Ashlea shared how interested firms can connect with INATIGO and explore the capabilities of Finley AI. With a strong presence on LinkedIn, she encourages industry professionals to reach out and discover how Finley AI can help their organisations navigate the complexities of financial technology. Her passion for collaboration and innovation shines through, making her a compelling advocate for the transformative power of AI.
Ashlea’s dedication to creating meaningful connections and fostering innovation underscores her vision for a more efficient and impactful financial services sector. By making herself accessible to industry professionals, she amplifies her impact and drives progress across the sector.
Why This Matters to FinTech Recruitment
This episode of FinTech Focus TV is a testament to the dynamic evolution of the financial technology landscape. For Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment business, the insights shared by Ashlea Atigolo highlight the growing demand for talent with expertise in AI, regulatory compliance, and innovative technology solutions. As firms seek to integrate AI into their operations, the need for skilled professionals who understand both the technology and the unique demands of the financial sector will only increase.
Harrington Starr’s commitment to connecting top talent with innovative companies aligns perfectly with the themes of this episode. By fostering a deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, Harrington Starr is well-positioned to support the next wave of FinTech innovation.
In a world where technology is rapidly transforming financial services, Harrington Starr’s role as a connector and enabler becomes increasingly critical. By bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, the company plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.
Conclusion
This episode of FinTech Focus TV, featuring Ashlea Atigolo and hosted by Ian Bailey, offers a compelling exploration of the intersection of AI and financial services. Recorded live at FinTech Connect 2024, it provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into one of the most regulated industries in the world. From Ashlea’s journey in wealth management to her pioneering work with Finley AI, this conversation underscores the transformative potential of technology in reshaping financial services.
For those navigating the rapidly evolving FinTech landscape, this episode is a must-watch. It not only highlights the power of innovation but also reinforces the importance of collaboration, regulatory compliance, and a forward-thinking approach to technology.
As the financial sector continues to evolve, episodes like this serve as a beacon of insight and inspiration, showcasing the potential of technology to drive meaningful change. With Harrington Starr at the forefront of FinTech recruitment, the path to innovation has never been more accessible.
