True impact to be measured by trust AI earns: JazzWorld CEO

ISLAMABAD: “Artificial Intelligence is transforming finance, but its true impact will be measured by the trust it earns, the inclusivity it fosters, and the scale at which it reaches the underserved,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld.

He stated this during the session “AI x Fintech: The New Rules of Intelligent Finance” at Mobile World Congress 2026, organized by the GSMA.

In markets like Pakistan, AI can unlock financial access for millions outside the formal system, but only if it is transparent, explainable, and human-centered, he added.

Aamir joined the panel moderated by Sophia Bantanidis, Future of Finance Analyst at Citi Global Insights, alongside participants José Fernandez, CEO of Bankuish; Paula Blazquez Solano, Partner at 4Founders Capital; and Beatriz Gimenez, Country Manager at PayPal Iberia.

Aamir highlighted that while AI is increasingly predictive and embedded in financial services, the critical question in emerging markets like Pakistan is whether it translates into inclusion. With over 100 million adults outside the formal financial system, AI’s power lies in converting digital and behavioural signals into financial identity, unlocking access for those who lack formal credit histories.

He cautioned that AI can both include and exclude large segments of the population. In complex markets defined by informal economies, fragmented data, and gender gaps, transparency and explainability are essential. “Finance ultimately runs on trust, not technology,” Aamir emphasized. Systems must enhance decision-making while reinforcing confidence for users at every interaction.

Drawing on operational realities, he compared fintech risk to cybersecurity, where incidents may occur, but institutional response defines resilience. In markets where fraud exploits digital naivety, customer education and responsible guidance are as critical as algorithms. Fintech in Pakistan operates under dual oversight from telecom regulators and the central bank, making trust a foundational hygiene factor.

Aamir also spoke on the delicate balance between innovation and regulation: “Innovation is always ahead of regulation, and central banks tend to fear risk more than they cherish innovation. Our challenge is to educate regulators, establish sandboxes, and ensure promising technologies aren’t stifled, while keeping customers safe.”

He distilled the essence of consumer-centered AI into three pillars: technology, transparency, and trust. Technology enables capability, transparency builds credibility, and trust ensures longevity. “For consumers, the underlying technology matters far less than whether they feel secure, treated fairly, and informed, a principle that holds across AI, fintech, and the future waves of digital innovation.”

AI’s effectiveness depends on large, responsibly managed data sets, from utility bills to call records and location coordinates, enabling intelligent credit scoring, fraud prevention, and real-time risk management, Aamir stated. “As telcos and fintechs increasingly overlap, platforms operating at scale, like JazzWorld, are uniquely positioned to harness these insights, provided trust remains the invisible foundation.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026