AI has to be Surgical in its Implementation
Noteworthy Analytics
- Proliferation of Real-Time Data: The necessity for real-time information in banking and finance, driven by advancements in technology, and its use in decision-making processes.
- Predictive Analytics in AI: Using AI to enhance predictive analytics capabilities, which can provide deeper insights and drive more accurate business decisions.
- AI as Enterprise Middleware: The potential of AI to serve as middleware, facilitating seamless translations between different systems in real-time.
Episode Highlights
- ✅ Real-time data is essential for informed decision-making in banking and finance.
- ✅ AI enhances predictive analytics, providing deeper insights for businesses.
- ✅ Balancing AI and human elements is crucial for ethical decision-making.
Episode Summary
In this episode of the podcast, Zac Streelman, Chief Technology Officer at REV Federal Credit Union, shares insights into the evolving landscape of technology and data analytics in the banking sector. He discusses the significant changes in the industry, emphasizing the shift towards real-time data and the impact of AI on job roles, highlighting the emergence of prompt engineering. Zac delves into the importance of balancing AI with human elements to ensure ethical decision-making and explores how AI can serve as enterprise middleware, facilitating seamless system integrations. He also touches on the rewarding aspects of his career, particularly mentoring and elevating his team members, and underscores the inspirational purpose of technology beyond mere enablement.
Notable Questions and Answers
Q: What are some of the most significant changes in technology you’ve seen in the banking industry?
A: The biggest change has been the proliferation of real-time information and its critical role in decision-making. The tools and platforms for data engineering have evolved significantly, from internal code repositories to community forums, and now to AI-driven solutions like ChatGPT.
Q: How is AI impacting jobs and the workforce in your industry?
A: AI is transforming job roles, shifting the focus from traditional software engineering to prompt engineering. AI tools can now handle complex tasks, like converting code from one language to another, in a fraction of the time it used to take, which raises questions about the future of white-collar jobs.
Q: What is the importance of balancing AI with human elements?
A: While AI can connect to data efficiently, it lacks the ability to connect with human emotions and ethics. Ensuring a human oversight in AI processes is crucial to maintain ethical standards and to ensure AI outputs align with human values and ethical considerations.
Q: How are you using AI in your role as CTO of a credit union?
A: We leverage AI to compensate for the lack of available talent, using tools like ChatGPT to perform initial data analysis and identify necessary skills. We also utilize AI-driven platforms like DataRobot to build predictive models and enhance our business intelligence capabilities.
Q: What tips can you offer for making data-driven decisions?
A: Understand the types of data available and how to access them, whether through simple reports or advanced analytics. It’s important to use AI as a supplement, not a substitute, and be open to adjusting decisions as new data becomes available.
Q: What has been the most rewarding project or accomplishment in your career?
A: The most rewarding aspect of my career is mentoring and elevating team members, watching them succeed and grow. This trumps any technological project because it creates a lasting legacy through the people I’ve helped develop.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your career?
A: The ever-changing nature of technology keeps me motivated to keep learning. The potential to elevate others and inspire through technology drives me to continue exploring and implementing new innovations.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:13 Meet Zac Streelman: Background and Experience
01:07 Significant Changes in Technology and Industry
03:09 AI's Impact on Jobs and the Workforce
05:19 Balancing AI and Human Elements
07:48 Using AI in Credit Unions
14:37 Making Data-Driven Decisions
17:46 Most Rewarding Career Accomplishments
20:56 The Purpose of Technology: Enablement and Inspiration
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