Expert Calls For Human Accountability In AI-led banking at Global Fintech Fest

Mumbai: Krishnakumar K T, Managing Director of Oleevia Grameen Credits, emphasized the importance of human oversight and accountability in AI-driven banking during the Global Fintech Fest 2026. He joined a panel discussion titled 'AI Guardrails – Building Safe Financial AI Systems', which also featured Cisco's CTO for India and South Asia, Sandeep Agarwal; Vinay Kumar, Founder and CEO of Arya.ai; and Sudarshan R, Co-founder of Credit Mantri. The session was moderated by Manish Mimani, Founder and CEO of Protectt.ai.

Krishnakumar stressed that while AI can enhance banking operations by automating decisions and improving speed and efficiency, it is crucial to maintain human accountability. He argued that AI should not be viewed solely as a tool for speed, but as a means to ensure transparency and fairness in customer financial decisions. The expert also cautioned against treating borrowers as mere data points, urging financial institutions to consider each customer as a vital component of economic growth.

By identifying genuine credit needs, banks can support individual livelihoods and contribute to broader economic activity.

Described by Krishnakumar as a social function, banking plays a critical role in allocating surplus capital to those who truly require it, while simultaneously protecting the interests of depositors. The Global Fintech Fest 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gathered attendees from around 100 countries to discuss fintech, AI, digital finance, and financial inclusion.