By Soumoshree Mukherjee
Editor’s note: This article is based on insights from a podcast series. The views expressed in the podcast reflect the speakers’ perspectives and do not necessarily represent those of this publication. Readers are encouraged to explore the full podcast for additional context.
In a rapidly evolving digital economy, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance isn’t just inevitable, it’s transformational. In a recent podcast episode of CAIO with host Sanjay Puri, Prudential Financial’s Chief Data and AI officer Gaia Bellone shared her insights on how organizations can harness AI effectively and ethically, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, training, and starting small.
Bellone began by underscoring that impactful AI begins with purposeful work and a strong grasp of data. She believes that focusing on meaningful work and understanding data is crucial for growth. “Everybody is responsible, but everybody needs to be able to be part of the process,” she said, urging companies to embrace responsible AI practices to unlock new opportunities.
READ: AI for Good 2025: Frederic Werner urges everyone to ‘join the movement’ (
One way to do this is by piloting low-risk initiatives, such as customer chatbots. “It’s a very good opportunity because it’s low risk. You can easily get the consumer out of the chatbot so they would be able to talk to a person,” Bellone explained.
Crucially, training programs lie at the core of successful AI integration. Bellone emphasized that it’s essential for individuals to grasp how data is constructed, how it is used, and the specific problems it aims to address.
“Sometimes people think it’s a job just about technology, but absolutely not.” She noted, “It’s a job of the business and every single employees.”
Training demystifies data and empowers employees to think critically about its applications. For Bellone, the key driver is a passion for solving real-world problems, a trait that leads to genuinely impactful innovations.
When it comes to returns, Bellone emphasized focusing on tangible benefits and clear business goals. She noted that AI delivers value through measurable outcomes like improved efficiency and cost savings, and advised regular reassessment of strategies to keep pace with rapid advancements.
As enterprises scale their AI efforts, data governance becomes indispensable. “It’s not just about technology. It’s not just about the data scientists, but actually it’s everyone inside the enterprise,” she stressed.
Establishing cross-functional data governance committees is essential to ensure privacy, trust, and ethical use. She also highlighted the role of synthetic data in product development, helping companies simulate diverse customer segments and accelerate deployment.
READ: Knowledge Networks teams up with AI for Good to advance dialogue on global AI governance (July 18, 2025)
Bellone also touched on the promise and caution of agentic AI. While it enables deeper personalization and collaborative problem-solving, it “needs even more guidance,” she warned. Mishandled, these agents can escalate issues rapidly. Hence, she advised beginning with low-risk implementations and scaling gradually.
Building AI-ready teams goes beyond hiring coders. Bellone highlighted the need for passionate individuals who understand the problems they’re solving and emphasized the value of diverse skills and perspectives for effective collaboration.
Ultimately, driving AI transformation demands cultural change. Leadership support, upskilling, and role evolution are key. Bellone concluded with that people are not afraid of AI; they’re afraid of not being part of the future.
In her view, the future of AI in finance isn’t just about algorithms, it’s about people, purpose, and responsible innovation.