In a world where 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked, the gulf between those with access to formal financial services and those without has never been more pressing. For millions living in rural areas or informal economies, a lack of financial tools leaves them vulnerable to economic shocks and locked out of growth opportunities.

Emerging breakthroughs in artificial intelligence promise to change this narrative. By deploying targeted solutions, fintech innovators and traditional banks alike are charting new pathways to include the underserved and reshape the global financial landscape.

Understanding the Scope of Exclusion

According to the World Bank’s Global Findex report, nearly one in five adults worldwide lacks a bank account. This exclusion entrenches poverty, limits entrepreneurship, and increases exposure to predatory lenders.

At the same time, finance teams and enterprises are investing heavily in AI: agentic AI spending hit $50 billion in 2025, and 44% of finance departments will adopt autonomous solutions in 2026. These trends signal both an opportunity and a responsibility to direct innovations toward the unbanked.

Agentic AI: A Catalyst for Change

Agentic AI—systems that autonomously execute tasks—can deliver zero-touch operations reducing manual work by up to 50%. When applied to financial inclusion, these agents enable scalable, cost-effective services for underserved communities.

Key AI-driven solutions include:

• Hyper-personalization that tailors financial coaching and retirement planning in real time.
• voice-first interfaces and GenAI coaches speaking local dialects for low-literacy users.
• alternative-data credit scoring models using utility payments and cash flows to extend credit.
• Autonomous fraud detection and compliance workflows to lower operational costs.

Together, these technologies foster inclusive services, boosting customer engagement by over 200% and lifting lifetime value by 25–35%.

Real-World Success Stories

Across continents, pioneering initiatives illustrate how AI delivers tangible impact.

Empowering Users Through Trust and Governance

While AI offers immense promise, its deployment must uphold the highest standards of fairness and transparency. Building trust in AI-driven finance requires:

• Rigorous frameworks for bias detection and mitigation to ensure rigorous frameworks for equitable outcomes.
• Consent-driven data privacy and clear provenance controls.
• Collaborative regulatory sandboxes pairing fintechs and authorities.
• Human oversight and explainable AI to address trust issues.

Only through ethical governance can institutions convert productivity gains—reported by 96% of organizations—into meaningful financial improvements for all stakeholders.

The Road Ahead: Opportunities in 2026 and Beyond

As we look toward 2026, agentic AI is poised to reshape finance further. Forecasts indicate:

• 90% of finance functions will deploy at least one AI solution.
• GenAI usage by under-50s for advice will exceed 50%.
• Global banking profits at risk: $170 billion for non-adapters.
• Corporate productivity gains of $3 trillion, with 5.4% EBITDA boosts.

To harness these trends for inclusion, organizations must re-architect processes around human-led, AI-augmented models, invest in infrastructure for rural and low-income areas, and champion digital literacy.

Innovators should also focus on bridging literacy and language gaps with empathetic GenAI coaches, ensuring that underserved users receive guidance tailored to their contexts and life goals.

Ultimately, the journey toward universal financial inclusion is as much about technology as it is about empathy and collaboration. By aligning AI’s power with a commitment to equity, we can extend the benefits of modern finance to every corner of the globe.

Together, governments, financial institutions, and technology partners have the opportunity—and the obligation—to end financial exclusion. With thoughtful governance, robust AI solutions, and a focus on real human needs, we can ensure that the next chapter of financial innovation leaves no one behind.