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IBM Study: Banking and Financial Markets CEOs are betting on generative AI to stay competitive, yet workforce and culture challenges persist

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Two-thirds (66%) of banking and financial markets CEOs surveyed said that the potential productivity gains from AI and automation are so great that they must accept the risks to stay competitive. 65% of financial institution leaders say that succeeding with AI will depend more on people’s adoption than the technology itself and 60% recognize they are pushing for AI adoption more quickly than some might find comfortable. Half (50%) of financial services CEOs surveyed say they are hiring for generative AI-related roles that did not exist last year and 53% indicate they are struggling to fill key technology positions.

ARMONK, N.Y., June 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New findings from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value revealed that banking and financial markets (BFM) CEOs are facing workforce and culture and challenges as they act quickly to implement and scale generative AI across their organizations.   

The findings are part of an annual global cross-industry study that surveyed more than 3,000 CEOs from over 30 countries and 26 industries, which included 297 BFM CEOs representing retail, corporate, commercial and investment banks and financial markets.

The survey found that generative AI is perceived as the key to unlocking competitiveness. 57% of BFM CEOs surveyed stated that gaining a competitive advantage in the sector will depend on who has the most advanced generative AI.

The findings also revealed that CEOs are navigating complex issues around culture in the era of AI. 59% of surveyed BFM CEOs stated that cultural change within a business is more important than overcoming technical challenges when becoming a data-driven business, with 65% also believing success with AI will depend more on people’s adoption than the technology itself.

Despite this, 60% of surveyed BFM CEOs say they are pushing for AI adoption more quickly than some employees might find comfortable. Yet 43% acknowledged that their employees do not fully understand how strategic decisions impact them.

Skills also proved to be an area of focus for the CEOs. While 60% of surveyed BFM CEOs say their teams have the skills and knowledge to incorporate generative AI, more than half (53%) of respondents say they are already struggling to fill key technology roles. In addition, 50% of these CEOs said they are hiring for roles that did not even exist this time last year due to generative AI, showing the rapid shift occurring in the workforce.

“Our research reflects the tremendous pressure CEOs are under to keep their competitive edge. Alongside profitability and productivity, getting the right skills remains a persistent challenge, with CEOs now hiring for roles that did not exist until recently,” said Shanker Ramamurthy, Global Managing Partner Banking & Financial Markets, IBM Consulting. “Workforce needs are shifting rapidly in the financial services sector and CEOs must ensure that upskilling programs are prioritized as an important element of any financial institution’s enterprise strategy for scaling generative AI.”

In addition, 66% of BFM CEOs surveyed stated that the potential productivity gains from automation are so great that they would accept significant risks to stay competitive, with 67% saying they would risk more than their competitor to maintain competitive edge.

However, BFM CEOs recognized that trust cannot be sacrificed for innovation. 64% of surveyed BFM CEOs agreed that maintaining customer trust will have a greater impact on success than any specific product or service, and 83% acknowledged that transparency around adopting new technologies was critical for fostering trust among customers and employees.

“CEOs in the banking and financial markets sector are keenly aware of the competitive benefits that generative AI will bring and are eager to move quickly,” said John Duigenan, Distinguished Engineer & General Manager, Global Financial Services Industry at IBM. “In their enthusiasm to embrace the benefits of this potent new technology, it’s critical that financial services leaders ensure their institutions are taking steps to engineer trustworthy AI designed to reduce risk and win the confidence of their customers, employees and regulators.”

Key Study Findings

BFM CEOs are hedging their bets on generative AI to stay competitive and are willing to take risks to achieve this.

57% of respondents believe that competitive advantage will depend on who has the most advanced generative AI. Two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed agreed that the potential productivity gains from automation are so great that they would accept significant risks to stay competitive and 67% said they would take more risk than their competitors to maintain a competitive advantage. However, customer trust was not a sacrifice CEOs are willing to make. 64% surveyed agreed that maintaining customer trust will have a greater impact on success than any specific product, and 83% acknowledged transparency in adopting new technologies is critical for fostering trust among customers and employees.

The workforce is shifting rapidly.

50% of CEOs surveyed said they are hiring for roles that did not even exist last year due to the rise of generative AI. Yet, more than half (53%) of respondents say they are already struggling to fill key technology roles.60% of respondents said their current team has the knowledge and skills to incorporate new technologies like AI. Only 40% of respondents have assessed the potential impact of generative AI on their workforce. Surveyed CEOs say 34% of their workforce will require retraining and reskilling over the next three years – up from just 7% in 2021.

Financial institution leaders recognize it takes a cultural shift to scale AI successfully but face collaboration and adoption challenges within their organizations.

64% of CEOs surveyed say their organization’s success is directly tied to the quality of collaboration between finance and technology, yet half (50%) say competition among their C-Suite executives sometimes impedes collaboration.59% agree that cultural change is more important to becoming a data-driven business than overcoming technical challenges. 65% of BFM CEOs say that succeeding with AI will depend more on people’s adoption than the technology itself.At the same time, 43% acknowledge that their employees do not fully understand how strategic decisions impact them.60% of surveyed CEOs say they push for AI adoption more quickly than some might find comfortable. 64% of surveyed BFM CEOs say to win the future, they must rewrite their organizational playbook.72% plan to maintain or accelerate their organization’s pace of transformational change in2024.

Productivity is a top priority but focusing on short-term targets may hinder long-term progress.

BFM CEOs ranked tech modernization as their highest priority for the next three years.Productivity, profitability, and scalability were identified as the biggest challenges facing BFM CEOs over the next three years, with 46% agreeing that generative AI will be one of the most useful tools in helping them overcome these challenges. However, BFM CEOs identified the focus on short-term performance as their top barrier to innovation.

IBM is a leading provider of enterprise AI, hybrid cloud architecture, security and ESG insights to the global financial services sector. Its deep industry expertise, extensive portfolio of services and solutions, and its robust ecosystem of fintech partners, empower collaboration, innovation, and creation with clients. As a trusted partner to banks, insurers, capital markets and payments providers, IBM guides financial institutions on all stages of their digital transformation journeys through IBM Consulting and delivers the proven infrastructure, software, and services they need through IBM Technology. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/industries/banking-financial-markets

Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, conducted interviews with 3,000 CEOs from over 30 countries and 26 industries from December 2023 through April 2024 as part of the 29th edition of the IBM C-Suite Study series. These conversations focused on business priorities, leadership, technology, talent, partnering, regulation, industry disruption and enterprise transformation.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact

Mary Ellen Higgins
maryellen.higgins@ibm.com
781.789.1911

 

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Raytron Industrial Launches TN660 and TN463 Thermal Cameras for Dynamic Testing and Continuous Condition Monitoring

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YANTAI, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Raytron Industrial today announced the launch of two new products: the TN660 High Frame Rate Fixed-Mount Thermal Camera and the TN463 Fixed-Mount Thermal Camera. Both offer 640 × 512 imaging with synchronized image and temperature data. The TN660 delivers full-frame 120 Hz acquisition for moving targets and transient thermal processes, while the TN463 provides 60 Hz imaging for routine inline inspection and continuous equipment monitoring.

Full-Resolution Imaging for Different Process Speeds

Featuring a 12 μm uncooled VOx detector, the TN660 achieves 120 Hz at its native resolution without windowing, preserving spatial detail and scene coverage. Frames are approximately 8.33 ms apart, helping engineers examine rapid heating, cooling, and short-duration thermal events in research, industrial automation, and transportation applications.

The TN463 uses the same detector resolution and pixel pitch. Its 60 Hz output supports routine production cycles and long-term temperature trend analysis. To accommodate different installation requirements, the TN463 offers 6.9 mm, 9.1 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm lenses, while the TN660 is available with 9.1 mm and 25 mm lenses.

From Event-Triggered Capture to Synchronized Analysis

Both cameras support hardware and software triggering to coordinate acquisition with equipment actions. An external signal through the I/O (input/output) interface can initiate capture at a defined process stage. For example, a heat-press start signal can trigger the TN660 to record the thermal sequence, reducing unnecessary recording and review work.

Synchronized output pairs temperature readings with corresponding thermal images. Raytron Industrial’s TI Studio software supports simultaneous preview and analysis of up to four cameras, with temperature and temperature-rise alarms to flag abnormal conditions. Engineers can review recordings, examine and export historical temperature curves, and generate reports, linking equipment events with thermal data for further analysis.

Temperature Measurement and System Integration

Both models measure temperatures from −20°C to 150°C and 100°C to 650°C, with an accuracy of ±2°C or ±2% of the reading, whichever is greater. Ethernet and USB connectivity support data acquisition, while compatibility with industrial protocols such as Modbus TCP allows temperature data to be incorporated into existing control and monitoring systems.

With a choice of 60 Hz and 120 Hz imaging, the TN463 and TN660 allow users to match thermal acquisition to their process requirements, from continuous equipment monitoring to dynamic testing.

For Further Information

Email: sales@raythink-tech.com
Website: https://www.raythink-tech.com/

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4SiGHT Supply Chain Group Welcomes Joanne Strong as Senior Vice President, Delivery Excellence and Innovation

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Industry-recognized WMS leader and AI-driven delivery innovator joins 4SiGHT to lead delivery as one of North America’s largest dedicated Manhattan Active® implementation partners accelerates its growth

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — 4SiGHT Supply Chain Group, one of North America’s largest dedicated Manhattan Associates implementation partners, today announced the appointment of Joanne Strong as Senior Vice President of Delivery Excellence and Innovation. Strong joins the executive leadership team and will lead all client delivery across the firm.

4SiGHT has built something rare in its 18 years of operations: deep Manhattan expertise, exceptional talent, industry reputation, singular focus on Manhattan Associates, and a culture that puts client success at the center of everything it does.

The appointment comes during a year of rapid growth for 4SiGHT. Now in its 18th year, the firm has grown to more than 70 full-time associates in 2026 and continues to add Manhattan Active® talent across its warehouse, labor, transportation, and organizational change management practices. Strong’s newly created role is dedicated to ensuring that this growth is matched by an uncompromising standard of quality across every engagement.

“Delivery is our product. Every go-live, every client reference, and every renewal comes down to how well we execute,” said Frank Camean, President and CEO of 4SiGHT. “As 4SiGHT scales, we made a deliberate decision to put a senior executive in charge of one thing: the quality, consistency, and continuous improvement of how we deliver for our clients. Joanne has built and led delivery organizations at real scale, she knows the Manhattan Associates platform from the inside, and she has a proven record of innovation to make implementations faster and more predictable. Joanne is exactly the leader our clients deserve as we enter our next chapter. We are all honored and excited to have her join the team and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

Strong brings more than a decade of experience with Manhattan Associates and enterprise warehouse management. She most recently served as WMS Practice Lead, directing a multimillion-dollar WMS practice that delivered supply chain transformation programs for Fortune 500 companies in retail, consumer products, and life sciences.

A recognized voice in the supply chain industry, Strong delivered keynote addresses at the 2025 Stratify Executive Forum and at Parcel Forum 2026, has been a featured panelist at MODEX, and has appeared on The New Warehouse and Bloomberg’s Talking Transports podcasts. She holds a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

“4SiGHT has built something rare in its 18 years of operations: deep Manhattan expertise, exceptional talent, industry reputation, singular focus on Manhattan Associates, and a culture that puts client success at the center of everything it does,” said Strong. “The depth of Manhattan knowledge and real-world implementation experience across the organization is truly unique in the industry. My focus is on elevating an already outstanding client experience by combining that expertise with proven delivery practices, innovative methodologies, implementation accelerators, AI-enabled tools and capabilities. We have an incredible opportunity to help clients achieve faster outcomes, greater confidence in execution, and long-term business value. I’m honored to join the team at such a pivotal moment in its growth and excited for what we will accomplish together.”

About 4SiGHT Supply Chain Group

4SiGHT specializes in supply chain software implementations, with a primary focus on the Manhattan Associates product suite of applications. Our seasoned professionals average more than 19 years of experience helping companies across all industries solve their distribution, fulfillment, and transportation challenges. Together with our strategic partners, our collective team includes more than 100 associates. No other firm in North America brings this depth of Manhattan Active® expertise, and we look forward to expanding our team with additional talent in the months ahead. As a testament to the value our clients place on our expertise, experience, and integrity, 4SiGHT has received multiple industry awards. For more information, please visit 4sight.com or email us at in4mation@4sight.com.

Media Contact

Jenae Cahanes, 4SiGHT Supply Chain Group, 1 9734350025, jenae.cahanes@4sight.com, 4sight.com

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UL Research Institutes Releases New Report Defining Roadmap for Next-Generation Wildfire Risk Intelligence

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New findings identify critical gaps and opportunities in wildfire risk modeling to strengthen community protection

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As destructive wildfires increasingly threaten communities across the globe, a new report from UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute examines the strengths and limitations of current wildfire risk models and provides a roadmap for more comprehensive wildfire risk intelligence.

“Wildfire Risk Modeling Evaluation Findings and Community Perspectives” details findings from the 2026 Wildfire Risk Modeling Exercise, a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort that evaluated a diverse set of wildfire risk models using common scenarios and datasets. The exercise included approximately 20 organizations across academia, government, national laboratories, nonprofits, and the private sector.

For fire service leaders, emergency managers, and public safety officials, the report provides a practical framework for evaluating which modeling capabilities are best suited to specific community needs and decisions. Applied effectively, these tools can help practitioners identify where risk is greatest, prioritize mitigation investments, strengthen evacuation and preparedness planning, and make more informed decisions before, during, and after a wildfire.

“The Wildfire Risk Modeling Exercise was a convergent test and evaluation of the diverse models available to characterize wildfire risk today. These results revealed broader insights about the state of the science, prioritized gaps, and the investments needed to advance wildfire risk intelligence,” said Rebecca Harned, principal research scientist for Fire Safety Research Institute and the report’s lead author. “The findings provide a critical foundation for shaping the next decade of research, innovation, and operational capability. This report also serves as an important resource for local and state fire service and public safety agencies, providing an evidence-based framework for selecting wildfire risk modeling capabilities and applying them effectively to assess and manage community risk.”

Key Findings From the Wildfire Risk Modeling Exercise

The results from the exercise demonstrate that no single model can capture the full complexity of wildfire risk, nor should one be expected to. Instead, the report identifies an opportunity to build a new generation of wildfire risk intelligence by connecting complementary models, datasets, and scientific approaches. Doing so can help close critical gaps between modeling wildfire hazard and understanding what ultimately matters to communities — which people, property, and assets are at risk, why they are vulnerable, what the consequences could be, and which actions can most effectively reduce those risks.

To realize that vision, the report recommends building an interoperable modeling ecosystem spanning the full wildfire risk assessment pathway, from ignition and landscape fire spread through structure exposure, community impacts, and economic consequences. It also calls for stronger shared core data and standards, improved transparency and explainability, expanded decision-support tools, and greater use of ensemble modeling. Together, these advances could transform wildfire modeling from a collection of specialized capabilities into an integrated risk intelligence framework that better supports decisions before, during, and after wildfire events.

About the Fire Safety Research Institute

UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute advances fire science and fire safety knowledge to reduce risk, save lives, and protect property. We conduct rigorous research, outreach, and education in collaboration with the fire service, fire safety professionals, policymakers, communities, and an international network of partners. Together, we develop tools, resources, and strategies that improve fire safety outcomes worldwide. To learn more, visit fsri.org. Follow Fire Safety Research Institute on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About UL Research Institutes

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through scientific discovery. Since 1894, our research has advanced our mission toward a safer, more secure, and sustainable future. Focused on global risks from fire mitigation and air quality to safe energy storage and digital privacy, we conduct rigorous independent research, analyze safety data, and partner with experts to uncover and act on existing and emerging risks to human safety. Discover more at UL.org.

About the Exercise

The 2026 Wildfire Risk Modeling Exercise was designed as an open, collaborative and non-competitive effort. Each model submission was evaluated by multiple reviewers through two complementary evaluation streams: science and technical evaluation and user and practitioner evaluation. Participating organizations applied their models to standardized scenarios representing wildland, wildland-urban interface, and urban environments, with results evaluated by scientific experts and operational practitioners. The exercise was designed not to rank models, but to identify their strengths, limitations, and opportunities for integration.

For more information and to read the full report, visit FSRI.org.

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