HSBC Reveals the Bank of the Future

Date Entry
July 6, 2018

Europe-based HSBC bank offered some revealing insights into the future of your interaction with banking.  As many know, more and more banking can be done remotely or even through branch ATMs, reducing the demand for in-person branch tellers for all but the most complicated banking transactions.  Artificial intelligence and mobile technologies are fueling the progression.  Because of this, HSBC is investigating new technology roles within the company to carry tech-fueled banking forward.

Many of these roles, such as “mixed-reality experience designer” and “conversational interface designer” are still being evaluated, but really aren't that far off.  Still, many more remain undefined in the technology future.  In fact, the US Department of Labor estimates that 65% of today's schoolchildren will fill jobs that don't currently exist.

“Many of the roles and job titles of tomorrow are unknown to us today,” said Josh Bottomley, global head of digital, retail banking and wealth management at HSBC. “One thing is certain, however – artificial intelligence will not replace human intelligence. Blending the best technology with the power of people will be the difference between good and great when it comes to customer experience.”

The topic of technology replacing humans often raises the hackles on the collective workforce, however, technology often replaces repetitive or even delicate work that is reliant on accuracy.  And, the output of robotic processes compared to humans cannot be overlooked.  However, when it comes to technology, no one can argue that humans hold the keys to key qualities that drive innovation; curiosity, creativity, empathy, and more.  These qualities will continue to separate us from the machines.

Considering this, HSBC has shared six possible financial technology positions of the future:

  • Mixed-reality experience designer
  • Algorithm mechanic
  • Conversational interface designer
  • Universal service advisor
  • Digital process engineer
  • Partnership gateway enabler

Though they don't elaborate on granular details of each role, one can surmise the responsibilities of each position.  The Mixed-Reality Experience Designer, for example, would utilize tools such as Microsoft HoloLens to integrate 3D holographic technology into the bank's workplaces and processes.  A person applying for this role would need to have skills in aesthetic design, branding, user experience, and 3D mechanics.

While we're still working out our human roles alongside humans, one can take heart that (for now), it still takes a human mind to create the interfaces and experiences of tomorrow.

This article was based on a July 6, 2018 ComputerWeekly article by Karl Flinders.

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