HSBC Chief Executive Georges Elhedery said on Wednesday that artificial intelligence will both eliminate some roles within the financial industry and create new positions, and that the bank needs its employees to help manage that transformation.
Speaking at an HSBC investor day, Elhedery told staff and investors that resisting change driven by AI was not the right approach. Instead, he said, employees should work with the bank to navigate the adoption of the technology.
Elhederys remarks came a day after rival Standard Chartered disclosed plans to eliminate thousands of jobs by 2030 in favor of AI-driven automation. The timing underscored the industry-wide pressure to adapt to technology that can reshape back-office operations and other functions.
In March, HSBC appointed David Rice as the banks first chief AI officer, a move the bank has highlighted as part of a broader strategy. HSBC has positioned AI as central to its objective of raising shareholder returns by capturing savings through automation and streamlined processes.
According to Elhedery, HSBC is deploying AI across multiple businesses and functions. The bank intends to use the technology to simplify operational tasks and to tailor content and services to customers, he said.
What this means
- HSBC acknowledges that AI will change the composition of its workforce, with some jobs disappearing and others emerging as the bank retools operations.
- The appointment of a chief AI officer signals an institutional commitment to integrating AI into strategic planning and execution to achieve cost efficiencies and potentially higher returns for shareholders.
- Industry peers are making similar moves; recent announcements from other banks indicate a broader shift toward automation and workforce realignment.
Context and limitations
The statements reflect the banks current position and planned direction as presented at the investor event. Details about the scale, timing, or the specific roles affected were not provided in the remarks cited, and the banks public comments focused on strategy rather than operational timelines.