At a virtual roundtable on Thursday 24 July, Progress Together and Accenture brought industry voices together to explore the intersection of AI adoption and socio-economic inclusion in financial services.
The discussion was driven by the findings of new research, which revealed a growing digital divide: only 38% of employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds currently have access to AI tools, compared to 48% of their peers.
Hosted by Progress Together, the event featured insights from Mamta Kapur and Cyrus Suntook of Accenture, and Sophie Hulm, CEO of Progress Together. Speakers unpacked how AI is reshaping roles across the sector and why equitable access to digital tools must be a priority as organisations embrace emerging technologies.
The conversation emphasised the critical role of leadership in ensuring AI does not deepen existing inequalities. Attendees also shared examples of how their organisations are navigating digital upskilling and inclusive change.
The key takeaway? Productivity and inclusion must go hand in hand. As AI transforms the way we work, a fairer, more inclusive approach to digital adoption is not just a social imperative — it’s a business one.
