AI is finally coming for bankers, and soon, the rest of us.

I think the moment that I’ve been dreading is here. Since around 2013 or 2014, I’ve always wondered how to prepare for when everything in finance is automated.

Artificial intelligence has come for banking.

Fortune: Beware, finance bros: AI is coming for banking before any other kinds of jobs, Citigroup warns.

Forbes: AI Could Displace More Than 50% Of Banking Jobs, According To New Citigroup Report

Windows Central: Despite claims of generative AI being a fad, it could automate 54% of banking jobs — OpenAI’s GPT-4 already outperformed seasoned analysts in predicting financial trends

I’m sure there’s more but those are the ones that caught my eyes in the last few days. So just a little more than 50% of the banking jobs about to be zapped.

That’s Wall Street but I’m pretty certain that cost cutting will spread to other finance corporate departments. Every company is going to look for ways to automate finance’s work. I’ve been cogitating about what to do when the time comes…

…and I’m still not sure what is the best thing to do. Probably business partnering, probably getting really digital savvy, and upping up your analytical and communication skills. And customer service. Finding ways to add value to the business unit, program or PMO or whatever you want to call the business.

I spoke to a guy who does digital transformation and he told me about the example of Pepsi: the company has done transformation and there are dramatically fewer finance professionals. He suggested always be curious and always be learning.

I tried to do some digging into what the digital transformation is doing to the finance department, but I have not found anything to support what the guy said.

But anyway, I think the massive, extremely disruptive change is here.