By Abda Rothman
“If AI Can Do Everything, What Will Humans Do?”
Someone asked me the other day—if AI can do everything, then what will humans do?
The question stayed with me all afternoon. It followed me through emails, meetings, and phone calls. By evening, I was still mulling it over, and somewhere in the quiet hours of the early morning, the answer struck me.
The statements we hear so often about AI—“this sounds like AI wrote it,” “only AI uses those words,” “this phrasing feels mechanical”—tell us something profound. AI, for all its brilliance, lacks humanity. It pushes us to be more real, more genuine, and more meaningful.
It’s funny how technology, which many see as a path to automation and efficiency, is paradoxically pushing humans to dig deeper—to find purpose, clarity, and truth. And from a business perspective, if that’s where your customers are headed—towards authenticity and trust—then businesses must follow. After all, “know your customer” is Business 101.
But here’s the catch: it’s not just about building products, marketing them, and making money. It’s about digging deeper—into your data, frameworks, privacy, and ethics—the things that really matter to your customers and form the foundation of your business.
This is where compliance, often seen as a burden, becomes a guiding force. It’s the structure that helps businesses connect with their customers in an honest, human-centred way.
The Convergence of Technology, Humanity, and Regulation
There is a convergence happening—a symbiosis—where technology, regulation, and humanity meet. It’s no longer about solving isolated problems; it’s about creating solutions that reflect who we are and what we value.
Take Klarna, for example. The fintech giant didn’t just revolutionise online payments; it built its success on customer-centric simplicity. Klarna knows its customers. It uses data responsibly to predict behaviour, personalize experiences, and offer transparency. Compliance frameworks like GDPR didn’t hold Klarna back—they strengthened its foundation. Customers know Klarna respects their data, and that trust is what keeps them coming back.
This example demonstrates a universal truth: compliance isn’t a threat—it’s an opportunity. It’s the guide that helps businesses connect with customers in meaningful ways, putting the human at the centre of technology.
Although DORA and the AI Act are still in their early stages of implementation, major consultancy firms have already begun providing guidance on how businesses can align with these frameworks. As these regulations evolve, we look forward to seeing how more companies will integrate these frameworks to build trust, ensure resilience, and use AI responsibly.
A New Perspective: The Role of AI and Compliance as Tools for Humanity
So where does AI fit into this? Think of AI as a superposition—a tool that doesn’t craft just one possibility but combines multiple possibilities. AI can help businesses streamline operations, automate processes, and optimize results, but its real power lies in augmenting human creativity, purpose, and strategy.
Compliance frameworks like GDPR, DORA, and the EU AI Act act as the guardrails—keeping AI honest, transparent, and fair.
GDPR reminds us that data belongs to people, not systems.
DORA demands that systems be resilient and trustworthy, capable of withstanding crises.
The AI Act ensures fairness and transparency, ensuring that AI supports—not manipulates—humans.
Imagine a fintech tool that not only approves loans but explains why—offering thoughtful insights that help customers improve their finances. Imagine AI systems so transparent and bias-free that customers trust the technology without hesitation. Imagine fintech products so resilient that even during disruptions, customers feel secure knowing their financial systems won’t fail.
Compliance isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about creating businesses that align with human values. It’s about earning trust, fostering connection, and driving purpose-driven innovation.
The Future of Fintech Is Purpose-Driven
If Europe’s fintech industry has shown us anything, it’s that innovation and compliance don’t compete—they complement each other. Regulations like GDPR haven’t stifled innovation—they’ve elevated it. They’ve helped build a foundation of trust between businesses and customers.
Today’s customers don’t just want fast payments and sleek interfaces. They want businesses that align with their values—companies that prioritize privacy, fairness, and sustainability.
When businesses embrace compliance as a guiding force, they can:
1. Create Privacy-Centric Tools that protect data and empower users.
2. Build Resilient Systems that withstand shocks and disruptions.
3. Develop Ethical AI that augments human life with fairness, transparency, and accountability.
4. Align operations with sustainability goals, creating long-term value for both people and the planet.
The Big Question: If AI Can Do Everything, What Will Humans Do?
We will create, connect, and inspire. We’ll look inward to rediscover our humanity and outward to reflect it in the tools we build. Businesses that recognize this shift—and design their strategy, technology, and culture around it—will thrive.
So the next time you sit in a boardroom, brainstorming the next big product or collaborating with your innovation team, ask yourself this:
“How do we put the human at the centre of everything we build—and how can compliance help us get there?”
Because those who answer this question won’t just survive the age of AI—they’ll lead it.