BEIJING, China–One bank here may offer a preview of how robots and artificial intelligence will affect credit unions in the future, including jobs that may evolve or be eliminated.
The future of technology inside credit unions is a frequent subject of discussion, including during the recent CO-OP THINK 18 conference in Phoenix.
Credit unions looking for some direction on what the future might hold can look to China Construction Bank here as one example. The bank has opened a fully automated, human-free branch that features “employees” such as Xiao Long, who never leaves work.
“Welcome to China Construction Bank,” she chirps to customers arriving at the Shanghai branch, flashing her white teeth, according to The Guardian. “What can I help you with today?”
Xiao Long, or “Little Dragon,” is a robot who talks to customers, takes bank cards and checks accounts (she comes complete with a PIN pad) and can answer basic questions, the Guardian reported.
Faces are Scanned
“After a quick initial chat with Xiao Long, customers pass through electronic gates where their faces and ID cards are scanned,” the Guardian said. “On future visits, facial recognition alone is enough to open the gates and call up customer information. Inside, automated teller machines help with services such as account opening, money transfer and foreign exchange. A second robot waits inside the barriers, and there is a (virtual reality) room and video-link should customers want to talk to a mortal.”
Robots are increasingly handling more aspects of everyday life in Chinese cities, the Guardian reported, including for security purposes and even acting as cooks (robots have been used as waiters in China for several years).