Most FSI clients at ease with cryptocurrency, but less so with AI – Salesforce study

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A 2023 H1 survey conducted by Salesforce, which included 6,058 customers from financial service institutions (FSI) globally, provided valuable insights into attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and the digital transformation within the financial services sector.

The Salesforce Financial Services Report indicates that the survey took place from March 7 to April 12, 2023, and involved participants from 12 nations across five continents.

Interest in crypto from FSI customers.

A significant observation is that 61% of customers have either investigated or intend to investigate cryptocurrency, reflecting an increasing interest in digital currencies. Although two-thirds of customers show interest in digital currencies, only 29% have expressed a desire for blockchain digital currency services from their financial institutions.

Most FSI clients at ease with cryptocurrency, but less so with AI – Salesforce study0Source: Salesforce

This may highlight a perceived shortfall in current FSI offerings, a hesitance towards the new technology, or possibly an indication of a genuine interest in self-custody, as the report indicated that 60% of customers feel at ease with cryptocurrency.

The survey also indicated that 31% of customers have researched, and 30% plan to investigate portfolio diversification, including cryptocurrency as an asset class. Despite its fluctuations, this information suggests a growing curiosity and acceptance of cryptocurrency as a legitimate component of a diversified portfolio.

AI is improving financial services.

Generative AI has emerged as a prominent topic, with consumers expressing uncertainty regarding their trust in AI, particularly in financial service chatbots driven by generative AI. This presents an opportunity for enhancement in the integration and sophistication of chatbots, which, according to the report, are currently a notable source of digital friction.

Only 21% of respondents “fully trust” AI chatbots, while 56% remained neutral. To contextualize this data, many interactions may be based on older AI models rather than advanced LLMs, such as the recently released GPT-4 API, available to all customers. With the introduction of the next generation of chatbots, it will be intriguing to observe whether this metric improves and if customers develop greater trust in chatbots utilizing the latest generative AI technology.

Most FSI clients at ease with cryptocurrency, but less so with AI – Salesforce study1Source: Salesforce

The survey also indicated an expectation that AI could enhance financial transactions, with a notable portion (46%) of respondents expressing optimism regarding AI’s potential to save time. However, 40% neither agreed nor disagreed with this perspective, suggesting that further efforts are required to clarify AI’s advantages in the minds of consumers.

In summary, the Salesforce report offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of financial services, with consumers showing an increasing interest in blockchain technologies, cryptocurrency, and AI. It highlights the challenges and opportunities that FSIs face as they navigate the convergence of emerging technologies.

The majority of respondents were millennials, accounting for 43% of those surveyed, followed by Gen X at 25%, Baby Boomers at 20%, and Gen Z at 12%.

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