Future of Global Fintech Second Edition 2025

One of the key ongoing discussions around AI is its potential impact on jobs. Survey respondents were questioned specifically on whether their firm’s workforce had increased, decreased or remained the same with AI adoption. Overall, 50% of fintechs adopting AI reported no change in their workforce. Notably, more fintechs increased their workforce (24% slightly increased and 14% significantly increased) than reduced it (9% slightly reduced and 3% significantly reduced) after AI implementation. Small disparities between fintechs operating in AEs and EMDEs were observed, with 16% of those in AEs significantly increasing their workforce compared to 12% in EMDEs (Figure 31). MENA was a unique case, with 22% of fintechs reporting workforce reduction. By vertical, a positive outlier was digital banking and savings, with 58% of fintechs reporting a significant increase in their workforce after implementing AI.One of the main incentives for businesses to implement AI was the potential for cost reduction. Improvements in this area were experienced by 75% of fintechs surveyed, with slight improvement for 52% and significant improvement for another 23% (Figure 32). Only 3% reported that costs increased after AI adoption. Fintechs in AEs reported greater cost reduction outcomes than those in EMDEs, where a higher percentage of fintechs reported no changes. Although some disparities were noted, a positive trend was witnessed across all regions. Fintechs in Europe were more likely to report significant improvements (39%), while in LAC, 61% reported slight improvements. In contrast, 36% in MENA reported no changes, while 9% in the US and Canada said it had slightly worsened. Additionally, the digital banking and savings (62%) and digital lending (44%) verticals had the highest rates of fintechs reporting significantly reduced costs after AI adoption.Impact of AI on the workforce FIGURE 31 AEs EMDEsGlobal average 14% 24% 50% 16% 22% 12% 27% 52%9% 10%3% 7%5% 2%47% Significantly increased Slightly increased No change Slightly decreased Significantly decreasedImpact of AI on research and development expenditures FIGURE 30 AEs EMDEsGlobal average 21% 50% 25% 21% 51% 23% 21% 48% 28%3% 4% Significantly increased Slightly increased No change Slightly decreased Significantly decreased1% 2%1% 1% 50% of fintechs adopting AI reported no change in their workforce. The Future of Global Fintech: From Rapid Expansion to Sustainable Growth 42