Across Sberbank, artificial intelligence touches a wide spectrum of activities, yet a distinct cohort concentrates on advancing the technology. On the Pozdnyakov program broadcast by NTV, Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board at Sberbank, laid out the scale of the AI effort. He described a sizable cadre of specialists who work directly with AI, quoting a figure of about 2,000 AI experts employed by the bank. The message underscored that while many employees interact with AI in some way, a focused group leads research, development, and integration of the technology into everyday banking. The disclosure aligned with the bank’s broader emphasis on staying competitive through AI, data analytics, and automation as global financial institutions expand their digital capabilities. In Canada and the United States, similar dynamics are unfolding, with big banks expanding AI literacy among staff and creating specialized teams to harness AI for customer service, risk management, and product design. The broadcast highlighted that this is not simply a pilot program but a strategic workforce shift that touches governance, project planning, and technology deployment.
Sberbank’s structure includes researchers who study AI concepts, developers who build deployment tools, and teams that construct AI engines and large language models. These groups collaborate to bring AI into everyday banking processes and customer experiences. The bank emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, combining data science, software engineering, and business knowledge to ensure AI outputs align with regulatory requirements and customer needs. The scale of this effort is evident as AI capabilities are embedded across product lines, with ongoing projects to refine models, monitor performance, and ensure safety. In North America, financial institutions are pursuing parallel programs, with similar team structures and governance to minimize risk while maximizing customer value.
Vedyakhin announced that the total IT workforce at Sberbank numbers around 40,000 specialists. This includes software developers, system administrators, data engineers, cybersecurity experts, and analytics professionals who support AI initiatives at scale. The number reflects a broad, multinational focus on digitization, cloud adoption, and secure data handling. IT teams work in close partnership with business units to implement AI-enabled features in payments, risk assessment, and customer service. The expansion of IT talent mirrors global trends in finance, where large banks invest in training, recruiting, and partnerships to keep pace with rapid AI advances. The Canada’s and US banks also are building similar capacities, signaling a shared direction toward more automated, data-driven banking experiences.
During the program, the guest noted that psychology is among the most popular AI application areas. The use of cognitive tools to support well-being and mental health has gained traction in the financial sector, where emotional support can accompany complex financial decisions. For individuals seeking help, scheduling a consultation with a specialist often requires advance booking; not everyone is ready to discuss personal stories in a public or semi-private setting. The report underscores that an electronic psychologist can provide an initial, accessible touchpoint for many users, helping them articulate concerns and feel calmer. Advocates point to benefits such as reduced stigma, around-the-clock access, and data-driven insights that inform follow-up care. Critics urge careful consideration of privacy, consent, and the need to preserve human-centered care. In the North American context, financial institutions are weighing these benefits against regulatory expectations and the importance of clear disclosures about AI-assisted therapy. The bank emphasizes that AI tools are designed to complement human support, not replace it, and to respect user privacy and data security at every step.