Challenges of Deploying AI in a Heavily Regulated Environment

In this session we will explore the complex landscape of integrating AI technologies within the banking sector, an area characterized by stringent regulations and high stakes for security and compliance. Our discussion will explore putting AI models into production, highlighting the necessity of establishing robust guardrails to prevent misuse by users and ensure models operate within regulatory boundaries. We will delve into the practical challenges of navigating this process, from securing sensitive financial data to adhering to evolving regulatory standards, and propose strategies for effectively managing these hurdles to leverage AI's transformative potential in banking. This session aims to equip attendees with insights and tools to navigate the intricate process of deploying AI in a regulated environment, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of security or compliance.

About the speakers

Dr. Sterling Thomas is GAO’s Chief Scientist in Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics.

Prior to joining GAO, he was the Chief Scientist at Noblis, a Reston, VA based research institute overseeing their applied research programs for the past 13 years. Sterling has also served as a principal investigator for research programs funded by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. His work has included creating new methods regarding synthetic biology, strategies for decoupling qubits for improving error correction in quantum computing, methods for using artificial intelligence to detect decentralized coordinated cyber-attacks, and network-based optimization algorithms to detect abnormalities in public equities markets.

He also worked with the institute’s executive council to develop their five- and ten-year research strategy. Sterling also served as the Deputy Chief Technology Officer and collaborated with the institute’s professional development department to create data science and cyber analytics training programs in partnership with George Mason University (GMU) and George Washington University. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at GMU, sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board at GMU’s College of Engineering and Computing, along with sitting on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Biological Data Science Advisory Board.

Sterling’s contributions have been recognized across industry including by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for best paper utilizing machine learning methods in detecting breast cancer, and at his former institute where he received the Science and Technology Achievement award. He has also been awarded four patents and has multiple pending patent applications. Sterling earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Life Sciences from VCU, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University, and Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University.

Arijit Das is the Head of Digital Asset Innovation Technology at Northern Trust. He is responsible for driving digitalization of assets by leveraging innovative emerging technologies with a focus on distributed ledgers, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Arijit led the effort to implement the world’s first blockchain based, private equity solution and custody for the world’s first DLT (distributed ledger technology) based fractional bond exchange. He is co-inventor on 7 blockchain related patents.

Arijit has been with Northern Trust for 11 years and in the industry for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Northern Trust, he worked at US Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of Montreal, managing both development and infrastructure teams. Arijit holds a Master’s degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology.

Jesus Gonzalez is Deputy Global Practice Leader within Aon’s Commercial Risk Group. In this role he is responsible for representing global clients across all industry sectors with an emphasis on technology. Jesus has been designated the Regional Cyber Champion for the Latin America Region.

Prior to joining Aon in 2012, Jesus Gonzalez spent over ten years in various leadership roles with Motorola and Nokia Siemens Networks on worldwide engagements. Jesus earned a Computer Science degree from University of Illinois and an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Management.