The Transformative Role of AI in Financial Services
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been revolutionizing the financial services sector for several years. With the rapid increase in digital adoption, the ability of AI to generate real value hinges on partnering with specialized technology providers. Selecting the right partners can either streamline processes or complicate them further.
As reported by McKinsey, many organizations have access to AI tools, yet few have fully integrated them into their operations. This lack of depth limits their potential to create significant business impacts.
Unlocking Potential through Specialized Partnerships
Choosing the right partners for AI integration can unleash groundbreaking changes, turning traditional financial systems into agile, high-performance engines. Conversely, poorly trained AI systems, developed on flawed data, can deepen existing inefficiencies, transforming them into systemic risks.
This highlights a critical challenge: the incentives behind AI initiatives and the partnerships that dictate how AI is designed, trained, and deployed within the financial sector. At the forefront of this initiative is Huawei’s RONGHAI Financial Partner Program, which connects foundational infrastructure with specialized financial applications, encompassing over 150 partners globally.
Building an Ecosystem of Collaboration
According to Roger Wang, Director of Partner Development at Huawei Digital Finance BU, the traditional supplier-customer dynamic is shifting. Huawei aims to foster an ecosystem where value is co-created through collaborative partnerships. This approach emerged from the realization that even with substantial experience, they needed alliances to navigate the complexities of digital transformation.
“We realized we needed to create an ecosystem with many great technology partners, enabling us to build end-to-end capabilities across the digital transformation journey,” shares Roger Wang.
The urgency for such collaboration stems from the rapid evolution of customer behaviors and market dynamics, which have outpaced the traditional timelines for core banking system modernization. CEOs can no longer afford to delay crucial transformations.
Revolutionizing Banking with End-to-End Solutions
With over two decades of experience, AI expert Wizard He emphasizes that the RONGHAI program’s strength lies in delivering comprehensive solutions that allow banks to scale efficiently without compromising stability. A notable case involved a leading bank in Singapore, which sought to implement a digital transformation initiative termed “Gandalf,” drawing inspiration from digital pioneers like Google and Amazon.
“Huawei anchored the transformation with a stable foundational technology, while Netis prioritized agility at the application level,” elaborates Wizard He.
This synergistic relationship among partners ensures that no unforeseen challenges disrupt the transformation process.
The Future of Banking: Collaborative Ecosystems
Wizard He further clarifies that the strength of RONGHAI lies in how specialized partners collaborate as a cohesive system rather than working in isolation. In core banking projects, the program allows Huawei to work closely with various core banking providers, ensuring agility and resilience through seamless collaborations.
“Huawei’s diverse product portfolio—including ICT infrastructure, cloud computing, and more—facilitates the rapid resolution of technology-related challenges,” he adds.
Through its dedicated partner management model, Huawei accelerates the development process, enabling partners to effectively leverage their collective strengths, ensuring faster deployment and scalability.
The Criteria for Partner Selection in RONGHAI
With over 150 partners, the RONGHAI ecosystem is both expansive and discerning. Roger Wang emphasizes that the key to success lies in creative and effective contributions from partners. Three essential criteria guide their selection:
- Innovative technology applications and real-world use cases
- Speed of product evolution based on customer needs
- Effective deployment on Huawei’s robust infrastructure
This structured approach transforms the concept of partnership into a governed ecosystem capable of supporting enterprise-wide AI initiatives, ultimately shaping the future of AI-driven finance.
For those interested in understanding how organized partnerships can enhance AI deployment in finance, watch the full conversation featuring Roger Wang and Wizard He discussing the RONGHAI program’s impact on the industry below.
Image credit: Fintech News Malaysia
