Under the MoU, a joint working group will be established to define implementation workstreams and monitor progress, ensuring governance that upholds transparency and responsible AI deployment. HSBC UAE’s chief executive, Mohamed Al Marzooqi, described the collaboration as aligned with the UAE’s ambition to scale its AI capabilities — signalling that applied intelligence is no longer an optional enhancement but central to modern banking operations.
For Presight, the tie-up with a global banking heavyweight marks a critical milestone in its ambition to become the go-to AI partner for banks and financial institutions across the region. The firm’s recent financials underline its readiness: in Q3 2025, Presight posted AED 652.9 million in revenue, a 15.3 per cent increase over the same quarter in 2024, while maintaining a cash position of AED 1.88 billion and zero debt.
The backdrop to this collaboration is the broader push within the UAE banking sector — under frameworks initiated by the Emirates Institute of Finance Innovation Hub — to adopt AI solutions that enhance efficiencies, strengthen regulatory compliance, and deliver better customer experiences. Presight is already collaborating with several institutions, including the central bank and smaller lenders, reflecting the growing institutional appetite for AI-driven transformation.
While the objectives are clear, experts caution that the success of such alliances will depend heavily on rigorous data governance, transparency around algorithmic decision-making, and robust safeguards against unintended biases or misuse. The commitment to “responsible innovation” by both HSBC UAE and Presight acknowledges those risks, but implementation — particularly in areas like risk modelling and human-capital analytics — will require continuous oversight.
The partnership underscores a shift in perception about AI within financial services: from exploratory pilot projects to full-scale integration with core banking systems. As regulatory requirements tighten globally — especially in risk, compliance, and customer due diligence — such collaborations may become increasingly essential for banks seeking operational efficiency and competitive edge. The extent to which this strategic MoU reshapes daily banking workflow in the UAE remains to be seen, but the signs point to AI playing a central role in the sector’s next wave of evolution.
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