Bias, Blind Spots, and Bottom Lines: Reframing AI Risk in Financial Services
In this episode of Masters of Risk, host Stewart Webster sits down with Kareem Saleh, Founder and CEO of FairPlay AI, to unpack one of the most critical and underexamined risks in modern finance: algorithmic bias. As artificial intelligence becomes central to everything from lending decisions to fraud detection, Kareem explains why the promise of "objective" algorithms often falls short—and how hidden biases can quietly shape outcomes at scale. Drawing on his experience across global credit markets, Kareem reveals how unfairness enters AI systems—from flawed data to model design to real-world deployment—and why organizations that fail to address it are exposing themselves to financial, regulatory, and reputational risk. Together, Stewart and Kareem explore the misconception that fairness comes at the expense of performance, showing instead how more equitable models can unlock growth, improve accuracy, and expand access to capital. They also dive into the future of work in the age of AI, the need for modern governance infrastructure, and why fairness is quickly becoming a defining competitive advantage. A compelling listen for executives navigating AI adoption, risk leaders rethinking model governance, and anyone seeking to build more responsible—and more profitable—AI systems. Credits: Host: Stewart Webster Guest: Kareem Saleh, Founder and CEO of FairPlay AI Editor: Neri Reyes Producer: Caitlin Bray Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney, Barb Dalumpines, Cassandra Rowe
