Banks, technology companies, specialists, and fintechs gathered at Febraban Tech 2026 to discuss digital transformation in the financial services sector. The event took place in the Anhembi District, São Paulo (SP), and was organized by the entity representing banks in Brazil, running from Monday (24th) to Wednesday (26th).
Artificial intelligence (AI) was a central theme in the discussions, although other important topics such as Pix, Open Finance, and fraud prevention were also addressed. In a panel held on the first day, CEOs of institutions like Bradesco, BTG Pactual, Itaú Unibanco, Nubank, and Santander (Brazil), along with the president of Caixa Econômica Federal, debated the limits that AI must respect in Brazilian banking operations.
Currently, the debate is not about adopting the technology, as it is already implemented. The focus is now on establishing the ethical and operational boundaries of the machine, both in the internal flows of institutions and in interactions with customers, such as service and support.
Usage examples include Nubank, which employs predictive AI for credit analysis and generative AI in marketing and development. Caixa Econômica Federal uses AI in internal service processes and onboarding, helping to reduce bottlenecks in credit granting, according to the institution's president, Carlos Vieira.
Roberto Sallouti, CEO of BTG Pactual, stated that AI is applied in all areas of business, ranging from decision-making, which has inherent risks, to improving customer experience.
Milton Maluhy Filho, CEO of Itaú Unibanco, highlighted that while AI allows for deeper customer knowledge, this does not justify the indiscriminate use of information collected during interactions. He pointed out three crucial challenges: determining which data can be combined, what offers are appropriate, and what level of comfort the customer has with the bank's level of knowledge about them.
Geraldo Guazzelli, general director of Netscout Brasil, commented that despite the rapid implementation of AI by financial institutions, the effectiveness of the results fundamentally depends on the quality and context of the data provided to the technology. Netscout Brasil, specializing in corporate software and hardware, also participated in the event.
The executives emphasized that the advancement of AI does not negate the importance of human professionals to interpret results, question recommendations, and understand the context of situations. Marcelo Noronha, CEO of Bradesco, stressed that the future of banking will be more automated but will maintain a more human character in critical decisions.
Gabriel Galípolo, president of the Central Bank (BC), was also present at Febraban Tech 2026. During his opening speech, he addressed Pix, warning that it is sometimes the target of fake news. This statement came after rumors circulated about the BC studying a 72-hour lock for suspicious Pix transactions.
Galípolo advised the public to be wary of reports using terms such as 'BC studies,' 'predicts,' or 'considers,' reinforcing that the regulatory body communicates only through its directors and president. He instructed that any doubt about Pix should be verified directly on the BC's website, stating that the Central Bank of Brazil is one of the most transparent globally.
Samsung also maintained a booth at the event, displaying mobile devices and screens useful for the corporate-financial environment. The booth presented simulated scenarios of banking routines, such as branches and control rooms, showcasing products like Odyssey monitors and Galaxy Z Fold 8. Kauê Melo, Senior B2B Director at Samsung, declared that the objective of participation was to demonstrate the breadth of Samsung's portfolio and how its products can assist the financial sector.