{"id":77333,"date":"2026-04-07T17:57:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:57:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/trustworthy-ai-in-banking-sas-report-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:57:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:57:53","slug":"trustworthy-ai-in-banking-sas-report-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/trustworthy-ai-in-banking-sas-report-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Only 11% of Banks Have Achieved Trustworthy AI, SAS Report Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trustworthy AI in banking remains out of reach for most institutions, according to a new report from SAS and IDC released on April 7, 2026. The Data and AI Impact Report: The Trust Imperative, based on a global survey of 2,375 IT and business leaders, found that only 11% of banks have achieved both high internal confidence in artificial intelligence<\/a> and AI systems that are demonstrably reliable.<\/p>

Banking outpaces government, insurance, and life sciences in both AI spending and adoption of responsible AI practices. About 23% of banks operate at the highest level of IDC’s Trustworthy AI Index. However, most institutions still fall well short of what the report defines as the “ideal state,” which combines high trust with high trustworthiness.<\/p>

The Trust Gap in Trustworthy AI in Banking<\/h2>

Nearly half of banks, 47%, fall into what IDC calls the “trust dilemma.” These institutions either underuse reliable AI because they lack sufficient confidence in it, or they overrely on AI systems that have not been adequately validated. The gap between AI ambition and actual readiness is wide.<\/p>

“On trustworthy AI, banking leads every sector in this study, and even so, most banks’ foundational readiness is nowhere near where it needs to be. Roughly nine in 10 banks have yet to fully align trust with proof, and about one in five are still running on siloed data. Closing the gap between AI ambition and AI readiness should be a top-down priority for all banks.”<\/p>Stu Bradley, Senior Vice President of Risk, Fraud and Compliance Solutions, SAS<\/cite><\/blockquote>

Middle East Banks Face Similar Pressures<\/h2>

As the UAE’s Vision 2031 and broader digital transformation<\/a> efforts gain momentum, banks across the Middle East are increasingly adopting advanced technologies to improve efficiency and deliver better customer experiences. Michel Ghorayeb, Managing Director at SAS UAE, said banks in the region are well-positioned to build on strong data foundations and clear governance structures.<\/p>

“Banks that place responsible AI at the heart of their strategy will be best positioned to drive innovation, earn trust, and create sustainable long-term value.”<\/p>Michel Ghorayeb, Managing Director, SAS UAE<\/cite><\/blockquote>

Investment Rising, But Foundations Remain Fragile<\/h2>

Banks’ AI spending exceeds all other sectors in the study. Most banks, 60%, expect AI budget growth between 4% and 20%, while 12% anticipate even steeper increases. Despite this momentum, the report identified significant structural weaknesses across the industry.<\/p>