ANZ to offer AI development program for staff

A partnership between ANZ and Microsoft will see the development of the AI Immersion Centre, located at the bank’s headquarters in Melbourne. Employees will go through a program where they will learn how to use generative AI effectively and safely. The bank plans to send 3,000 leaders through it over the next 12 months

“We are actively embracing generative AI across all lines of our business to improve how we serve and protect our customers, process work and meet regulatory standards,” said ANZ Group executive of technology Gerard Florian.

“Applied safely, generative AI can enhance experiences for customers and employees, and help us generate business outcomes faster, with lower risk and at lower cost. ANZ is partnering with Microsoft because they have proven expertise and commitment to responsible AI innovation.”

AI is taking over the workforce and the banking industry is no exception. Necessary upskilling will be required to utilise this tech, which ANZ is calling AI literacy.

Steven Worrall, managing director at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are proud to work with ANZ and support their journey to harness the potential of generative AI to transform the employee and customer experience.

“The launch of the AI Immersion Centre reflects Microsoft and ANZ’s shared commitment to fostering an environment where technological advancement and employee empowerment go hand in hand, ensuring the workforce is prepared for the future.”

Further to AI training, ANZ has constructed a chatbot named Z-GPT. Similar to ChatGPT, this bot can help generate and integrate internal information. This tech was developed by ANZ’s AI Centre of Experimentation in India last year.

“As ANZ embraces generative AI at speed and scale, we remain steadfast in our commitment to security alongside innovation and technological advancement,” Florian said.

“We are proud to be leading the way in integrating generative AI into how we work and setting new standards for the banking industry. ANZ is not just adapting for the future; we are actively shaping it with generative AI technology.”

[Related: The age of the digital broker: Leveraging tech to drive efficiency]

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