On Dec 4, 2025, CGI sponsored the Nordic Banking Forum in Helsinki.
Nordic Banking Forum 2025 made one thing clear: artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental playground for banks. It has become a central driver of competitiveness, growth, and resilience. The discussion has shifted away from isolated use cases toward a broader question: how can a bank redesign its business model for the AI era — in a controlled and profitable way?
A recurring observation throughout the sessions was that banks are digitally mature, yet the overall impact of AI often remains fragmented. AI is visible in improved efficiency, automated processes, and higher productivity. However, real growth only materializes when AI is directly connected to customer value and new service creation.
Speed Is the New Strategic Capability
Several presentations emphasized the importance of speed: real-time payments, instant credit decisions, and hyper-personalization are raising customer expectations. At the same time, regulation (PSD3, DORA, AI Act) is increasing requirements for governance, transparency, and accountability.
In our recent webinar, CGI’s Jussi Mäkinen summarized this well:
“If I were a bank CIO or CEO, I would focus above all on speed. What brings speed to an organization enables experimentation, failure, innovation — and ultimately growth.”
This speed does not stem from individual AI tools, but from how data, architecture, and operating models are designed to support business decision-making.
The Greatest Value of AI Lies Not in Cost Savings, but in New Products
Many banks still approach AI primarily as an optimization tool. From CGI’s perspective, this is only the beginning. The real transformation occurs when AI is used to design, test, and scale entirely new products and services.
According to Mäkinen, this is what differentiates the frontrunners:
“Optimization improves margins, but new products and better customer experience drive business growth. AI enables both — if we dare to look further.”
In practice, this means, for example:
- Building consumer lending and SME services with new cost structures
- Leveraging data to personalize services without losing control
- Rethinking customer journeys beyond traditional process boundaries
“59% are already leveraging AI to develop customer service.”
(Source: Voice of Our Clients 2025)
Humans Remain Involved — But the Role Is Changing
The Nordic Banking Forum also highlighted the importance of the human-in-the-loop approach. While AI continues to automate routine tasks, responsibility, legal interpretation, and ethical boundaries remain with humans. When implemented correctly, this is not a constraint but a competitive advantage.
CGI views this as a change management question: how to redirect freed-up expert capacity toward creating new value instead of tying it to manual reporting or monitoring.
Why CGI as a Partner in This Transformation?
CGI’s role is not to introduce isolated solutions into banks, but to integrate technology, business, and regulation into a unified whole. Deep banking expertise, cross-industry perspective, and the capability to take AI strategies into production distinguish implementers from experimenters.
The core message of Nordic Banking Forum was clear: AI will inevitably reshape banking. Those banks that successfully combine speed, trust, and controlled growth will turn this transformation into a lasting competitive advantage.
CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world. We are insights-driven and outcomes-focused to help accelerate returns on your investments. Across hundreds of locations worldwide, we provide comprehensive, scalable and sustainable IT and business consulting services that are informed globally and delivered locally.
Want to hear more? Check out the 30 minute Strategy Talk with Jussi Mäkinen at the Digital Banking Academy!
