AI is what you will make of it
In this episode, Paolo Sironi speaks with Jean-Philippe Desbiolles author of the updated book AI Will Be What You Make of It (originally published in 2019). Desbiolles argues that AI’s impact on banking and society will ultimately be determined by human choices, not technology. He introduces the concept of a “co-era,” in which AI functions as a collaborative co-worker rather than a simple tool, requiring humans to develop “let-go” behaviors while staying in control.The discussion explores how banks can move beyond pilots by adopting a “cognitive factory” operating model to scale AI across business lines and processes. Desbiolles also examines the rise of agentic AI, which creates complex four-way relationships between customers, bankers, and their respective intelligent agents, fundamentally reshaping customer relationship management. Central to the conversation is the need to build trust through operational ethics frameworks, transparency, and responsible adoption to achieve real ROI. Desbiolles emphasizes that AI is driving a holistic transformation of organizations and society, and that success depends on placing humans at the center to create a virtuous cycle rather than a vicious one.
