S5 E9 Fintech Files - Finance in the Age of AI

Kirsten Rulf and Dr. Akram Awad explore how AI is reshaping financial services, from shifting industry priorities to changing team dynamics, and what it takes to turn ambition into real impact.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DNYsgL78o5o?si=f8ETEb8mBQn6dgir

Podcast

April 8, 2026

How is artificial intelligence reshaping the foundations of financial services?

‍

In this episode of Fintech Files, Kirsten Rulf, Partner and Associate Director at BCG and former Senior Digital Policy Advisor involved in shaping the European AI Act, and Dr. Akram Awad, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, explore how the industry is moving from experimentation to large-scale adoption.

‍

From the surge in interest following the rise of generative AI to the growing gap between ambition and realized value, they unpack what it takes to turn AI into real impact. Along the way, they discuss how team dynamics, decision-making, and even the meaning of work are evolving, and what the next phase of AI could mean for the future of finance.

‍

A conversation on navigating one of the most profound shifts in finance today. Listen here.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/QAg48XnoIX8

No items found.

Featured

Phil Gerrard

Manager Director

London, United Kingdom

Tom is an Engineering Lead based in the London office. He has vast experience delivering products and services with a human centered approach – including artificial intelligence solutions at scale and new startup ventures across a wide range of industries. Covering topics ranging from privacy enhancing AI to digital consortium design, he brings expertise in open innovation’s evolving role in solving high impact issues such as climate action, healthcare and online privacy.

Annika Melchert

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Annika Melchert is a Principal in the Riyadh Office and the podcast co-host of Fintech Files Podcast.

‍

As an expert in modern banking, she guides fintechs and incumbent banks on their technology build, integration strategies, and digital transformations.

Nora Hocke

Sydney

Australia

Nora is a member of the BCG Platinion Agile chapter and the Neobank and FinTech initiative and Co-Host of the Fintech Files Podcast.

‍

Nora is an expert in IT strategy and agile ways of working. By combining her expertise in banking and emerging technologies, she has delivered IT strategies, next-gen target architectures, and agile operating models for fintech and incumbent banks across the globe.

Bianca Lopes

Originally from Brazil and currently based in Denmark, Bianca is an entrepreneur and economist with a remarkable background in digital identity and biometrics.

‍

Throughout her career, Bianca has supported over 40 financial institutions and 8 governments, reshaping their approach to technology, reimagining identity, and driving innovation agendas.