A New York financier discovered that his 2025 AI-native summer interns appeared impressive initially but revealed alarmingly shallow thinking when probed. This led to fewer return offers and a shift away from STEM graduates toward humanities students. The company now prioritizes critical thinking skills over technical AI proficiency, recognizing human brainpower remains essential to properly evaluate AI-generated ideas.

Surveys reveal a stark disconnect between AI enthusiasm and actual results in finance. While 89% of finance executives claim AI boosts revenues, a Cambridge study found 76% of large financial groups struggle to measure AI's value. Only 40% reported profit increases, with AI primarily limited to back-office functions rather than strategic decision-making across the industry.

Regulators increasingly worry about AI's impact on financial stability, with concerns about cyber attacks, model herding, and hallucinations. The FSB warns of potential defaults from AI data center investments, while central bankers meet to discuss AI threats. Despite the rhetoric, AI reality in finance proves more complex than evangelists predict, with human strategy remaining crucial for effective implementation.