Artificial intelligence is transforming expectations for professionals working in fintech and with financial infrastructure.

You would be hard-pressed to find any STEM-based career that hasn’t been altered in some way by advancements in AI. Artificial intelligence by its nature is a tool that self-evolves, and its impact on the wider STEM space often mimics this evolution. 

Careers in fintech and finance have undeniably altered dramatically since the advent of AI – but in what ways? And how should professionals navigate these changes, with minimal disruption to their working lives?

One obvious way in which roles in finance, particularly in fintech, have changed is in how the work is actually completed. One of the more positive aspects of AI is that it can ease a heavy workload and reduce human involvement in laborious or time-consuming tasks. 

For finance engineers, who work primarily on platforms that support financial transactions, AI has taken over much of the coding involved. A number of well-known organisations globally have invested heavily in ‘vibe-coding’ tools and applications. They write code and even review it, as it is being written, so all that might be required of professionals is to supervise the AI and review work at the end to meet accuracy standards. 

Finance engineers who want to maintain ethical boundaries and who are cautious of relinquishing too much of their role to machines, but who also use AI in the coding process frequently, should cover any and all tasks that they would not trust to AI. They should stand over any work conducted by machines and should review the technology often, to ensure it is up to date, compliant and working as it should. 

Like it or not, artificial intelligence is a key aspect of working in finance in 2026. Because of that, organisations and employees have to prioritise skills that enable the use of AI tools and that deliver AI-powered insights. AI is slowly but surely helping to create an environment in which finance professionals are expected to have a much broader skillset that encompasses a blend of soft and technical skills that can turn AI insights into organisational action. 

More and more institutions are offering professionals the opportunity to upskill with the ‘future workforce’ in mind, while a series of global companies, such as Visa, have reduced workforces with the intention of optimising AI skills and projects. While this does have the potential to reduce vacancies for jobseekers with finance skills, for those with additional AI skills, there may be opportunity amid the challenges – particularly as morphed job requirements demand nichely-skilled professionals to fill hybrid roles. 

Artificial intelligence is impacting careers in finance in two significant ways, the first being the previously explored demand for AI-related skills and knowledge. The second is in how it impacts the recruitment process. 

More and more organisations are using AI as a substitute for a human in the early stages of interviewing and while this can be effective to an extent – enabling employers to make faster, data-driven decisions – it can also limit opportunities for professionals whose experience or qualifications don’t precisely match the standards of an automated system. As a result, employees aiming to secure a role – even those with suitable experience – may find that they need to match certain expectations and buzzwords in order to better appeal to automated tracking models. 

Professionals looking to make their CV more attractive should network with industry leaders, keep abreast of advancements in research, incorporate learning into their routine and take opportunities to contribute to the wider professional ecosystem where possible. This can enable a jobseeker or employee to better understand what is expected of them in 2026.

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