70 percent of finance professionals in the Netherlands are poorly or not at all aware of the AI Act, the new European law that determines how AI must be deployed safely and responsibly. It is striking that AI is already widely used in organizations, but knowledge, policy, and awareness often lag behind. This is evident from research by business transformation and IT service provider Conclusion into the attitudes of financial professionals towards AI, conducted among 359 employees working in the financial sector.
Not well-informed
More than half (52%) use AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot to write texts and emails. Additionally, 40 percent use AI for customer contact via chatbots. A quarter (26%) indicates that their organization cannot function without AI. However, less than a third (29%) feels well-informed about the basic principles of AI. Almost a third (31%) has never even heard of the AI Act. This is despite the fact that the regulation is already being gradually implemented in the Netherlands. Since February 2, 2025, AI systems considered to pose an unacceptable risk will be prohibited. The law will come fully into effect in 2027.
Policy not adhered to
46 percent say that their organization has established a policy for the use of generative AI, such as ChatGPT. Yet a quarter (24%) does not always adhere to it, and even 11 percent lie to their employer about the use of AI tools at work. AI literacy appears to be low. Only 13 percent say that there are people within the organization with a high level of AI knowledge. The need for this is evident from the fact that 47 percent indicate that their employer should do more to train them in the responsible use of AI.
Legislation remains complex
Despite the risk of fines and reputational damage for not (properly) complying with the AI Act, as many as 49 percent are not worried about failing to meet the AI Act. Organizations that are taking steps in this direction are primarily doing so by developing AI policies (40%), collaborating with legal teams on compliance with the law (33%), and organizing training for employees (29%).
Adil Bohoudi, managing director Conclusion AI 360: 'There is already an enormous amount of use of (generative) AI within organizations, while the frameworks for this are lacking. That framework in the form of the AI Act is not a thing of the future, but a reality. Although there is still room for innovation, the rules are becoming clearer, and that is also necessary. What now feels like complete freedom could later result in hefty fines, reputational damage, or even the halting of AI applications. Especially in sectors like finance, where sensitive data and decision-making are central, it is essential to comply with this legislation. Organizations must now invest in AI policies, awareness, and ethical frameworks to avoid falling behind. They need to invest in AI literacy to ensure that their employees are better informed about the pitfalls and opportunities. After all, they are the ones who determine the success of AI in the organization.'
