Expert calls for human accountability in AI-led banking at Global Fintech Fest

Mumbai: Krishnakumar K T, Managing Director of Oleevia Grameen Credits, said financial institutions must retain human judgement and accountability as artificial intelligence takes on a larger role in banking, speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.

He was a panellist in a session titled "AI Guardrails – Building Safe Financial AI Systems," alongside Sandeep Agarwal, CTO – Security, India and South Asia, Cisco; Vinay Kumar, Founder and CEO, Arya.ai; and Sudarshan R, Co-founder, Credit Mantri. The session was moderated by Manish Mimani, Founder and CEO, Protectt.ai.

"AI can automate decisions; but accountability cannot be automated," Krishnakumar said.


He said AI in banking should not be treated only as a means to greater speed and efficiency, and that guardrails were needed to ensure transparency and fairness in decisions that directly affect customers' finances.

Krishnakumar also argued that lenders should look past the data profile of a borrower. "AI may see customers as data, but as a banker, I see every customer as an important link in the economic growth of our country," he said, adding that identifying genuine financial need and lending accordingly could improve individual livelihoods while supporting wider economic activity.

He described banking as a social function that channels surplus capital towards genuine credit demand while safeguarding depositors' interests.

The Global Fintech Fest 2026 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and drew participants from about 100 countries for discussions on fintech, AI, digital finance and financial inclusion.

Two notes before filing. The "around 100 countries" figure and the inauguration detail are worth confirming against GFF's own release, since desks will check them. And the piece currently has no company context on Oleevia Grameen Credits — one line on what it does and where it operates would help an editor who has never heard of it place the quote.

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