AI is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s rapidly scaling the walls of banking, offering transformative opportunities. Recently, young banking executives from development finance institutions (DFIs) in Asia explored AI's potential to tackle climate change financing.
Slow to Adopt AI?
Banks are often cautious, and AI adoption has been gradual. Concerns around implementation challenges and scalability remain. Yet, with the growing need for innovative climate finance solutions, AI provides a powerful way to analyze data, predict risks, and enhance decision-making.
Rethinking Learning: Teacher-Less AI Conversations
Forget traditional lectures. Participants engaged in a teacher-less training model driven by guided conversations and hands-on AI exercises. This experiential approach accelerated understanding as they mastered AI tools, crafted effective prompts, and explored AI’s nuances.
By learning through doing, participants could:
- Develop climate change finance products.
- Analyze vast datasets.
- Generate reports, presentations, and policy recommendations.
- Spot AI hallucinations.
- Identify when and why AI should (or shouldn't) connect to the internet.
AI in Action: Real-World Climate Finance Solutions
Participants applied AI to case studies from Tajikistan, Rwanda, and the Philippines. Using AI, they designed:
- Credit policies and eligibility criteria.
- Loan proposals and syndication concepts.
- Economic analyses and market forecasts.
AI's ability to accelerate decision-making, minimize biases, and uncover hidden insights became evident.
Powering Collaboration and Innovation
The collaborative environment encouraged knowledge exchange. Participants explored tailored AI applications for their institutions, aiming to enhance services, optimize operations, and support sustainable development goals.
From Insight to Impact: Creating AI Roadmaps
To conclude the program, participants presented AI-powered roadmaps for their organizations. Key recommendations included:
1. 3-4-5 Learning Approach: Dedicate 3 days to learning, 4 weeks to practice, and 5 months to mastery.
2. Create Learning Loops: Form AI project groups for continuous knowledge sharing.
3. Apply the 6P Principle: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
4. Develop Digital Products: Innovate with AI-driven solutions for employment, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce.
5. Commit to Lifelong Learning: Embrace curiosity and adapt to AI advancements.
Building the Future with AI
As a parting achievement, participants built localized AI Large Language Models (LLMs) for their banks. They learned to train, fine-tune, and customize these models for enhanced privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, they explored cybersecurity tips and responsible AI use.
For OD practitioners and training officers, this case highlights the power of experiential, AI-assisted learning. Ready to reimagine your training programs? Consider how teacher-less, AI-driven conversations can accelerate learning, foster collaboration, and drive impactful change in your organization.
AI in Climate Initiatives
AI is reducing carbon emissions by optimizing aviation through collaborations like Google and American Airlines to cut contrails. It also improves weather forecasting, agricultural efficiency, and water management using machine learning. The video explores AI's role in both immediate impact reduction and long-term climate resilience, while considering its risks and ethical concerns.
NOTES
1. Get Ready and Save the Day. The ODPN’s ODLab25: Force for GoOD will be held late July in Zamboanga City. Watch this space for more announcements soon.
Ed Canela’s Courses
1. 6thData Analytics Course for MSMEs, University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI) in-person, 3 Saturdays (March 22, 29, and April 5, 2025) On-Going. See: www.entrepreneurship.org.ph.
2.“Strategic Leadership and Innovation in a Globalized Digital EraPamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the Peter Drucker Management in Nepal, April 21, 2025 In-Person
3.Leadership in Managing Change and Innovationon May 10, 2025 (9:30 to 12:00) and AI for Teachers and Educators on JUNE 5, 6, and 7, 2025 (8:00 AM 12:00 NN Zoom), SAIDI Graduate School of Organizational Development and Planning. Contact: Ms Cynthia Cruz AT cecruz@SAIDI.EDU.PH.
4.Embracing AI in Optometry Practice in the Philippines, Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP 75th National Convention), April 4-6, 2025 Makati MMA.