Unlocking AI Governance: Insights from the Temenos Community Forum

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved over the years, sparking diverse opinions and discussions about its future. At a recent forum, Dr. Jonnie Penn emphasized the transformative potential of AI, tracing its journey from simple gaming tests to advanced robotics and intelligent systems. This article explores the highlights from the event, focusing on the current state of AI, its implications for various sectors, particularly banking, and the importance of ethical governance.

The Evolution of AI: A Historical Perspective

Dr. Penn began by discussing the historical context of AI’s inception and public perception. He pointed out the significant influence of Nick Bostrom’s book, “Superintelligence”, which fueled both excitement and fear surrounding AI advancements. He outlined how AI has progressed from its early days to its current capabilities in various applications.

Understanding AI Maturity and Strength

During his presentation, Penn categorized AI based on its maturity and effectiveness. He noted that AI systems excel in low-risk tasks, such as:

• Audio recognition: Identifying songs from snippets of sound.
• Medical diagnostics: Analyzing images for health assessments, like detecting anomalies in moles.

However, he also acknowledged the limitations of AI, particularly in areas requiring social judgment.

Future-Proofing AI: Risk Assessment

Penn introduced a diagram illustrating the potential risks associated with AI technologies. He emphasized the importance of structured governance to mitigate risks as AI continues to evolve. He drew parallels to past societal fears regarding social media, highlighting how public perception can shape technological development and implementation.

AI as a Sociotechnical Craft

Penn encouraged attendees to view AI as a sociotechnical craft rather than merely a technical one, emphasizing that:

• AI’s impact is not limited to IT departments; it extends to legal, HR, and various operational facets within organizations.
• Every department plays a role in shaping how AI is integrated into business processes.

He concluded that maintaining a human-centric approach is crucial for harnessing AI’s full potential.

Banking Trends and AI Governance

Isabelle Guise, CMO of Temenos, shared insights on key banking trends for 2025 based on a survey of over 400 global banking leaders. The findings underscored the need for comprehensive global guidance on AI governance and ethical deployment. Despite the ongoing concerns about balancing innovation with risk, banks are striving to enhance customer experiences and innovate security measures.

AI Readiness and Challenges in Banking

The survey revealed a significant divide in AI readiness among banks:

• 46% of respondents had yet to adopt AI.
• 43% were at various stages of AI implementation.

Moreover, 42% of those using AI reported lacking a dedicated governance team, although 90% expressed a preference for AI to augment rather than replace human roles. Guise pointed out that this indicates a need for better understanding of governance rather than a reluctance to implement it.

The Future of AI in Banking: Community Engagement

Guise encouraged collaboration within the banking community to share best practices and stay ahead of the curve regarding AI implementation. She echoed Dr. Penn’s optimism about the industry’s direction, emphasizing the potential for positive transformation.

Looking Ahead: Autonomous Banking and TCF 2026

The forum concluded with discussions on autonomous banking and the importance of the human-in-the-loop approach. Temenos CEO Jean-Pierre Brulard summarized the event’s successes and announced that the next Technology Conference Forum (TCF) will take place from May 5th to 7th, 2026, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For more information on AI’s impact across industries, visit Forbes.