How Al is reshaping banking talent

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is disrupting every phase of the banking value chain - including, critically, the recruitment of a workforce equipped to navigate its breakneck pace of change while sustaining both current and future business resilience.

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We're witnessing a paradox in recruitment. While companies rely on AI to filter applications, candidates are also turning to AI to refine and enhance theirs. From autogenerated responses to simulated interviews, technology is influencing both sides of the process.

In a country where youth unemployment stands at 45.5% among individuals aged 15-34 years, the proliferation of Al in the workforce not only demands embedding AI fluency early, but also, a more strategic approach to developing young talent.

Rethinking Graduate Roles

Absa’s graduate programme within Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) reflects this mindset.

Its an 18-month rotation through various desks, including research and technical teams, and now includes exposure to AI, which is a growing exploratory area.

Our Gen A Grad Programme blends theory, business skills, technical knowledge, soft skills, and on-the-job learning.

Two years ago, the bank partnered with a corporate executive training firm to enhance the programme's relevance and introduce an Al component.

Today, our graduates work on practical, real-world case studies in GenAl, AI, and data — and the feedback from receiving teams suggests we are on the right track.