AI in FinTech: Ronn Torossian on Innovation, Trust & PR Strategy

1. What are some of the most exciting AI-driven innovations currently redefining the FinTech ecosystem whether in payments, lending, wealth management, or fraud detection?
AI in FinTech is transforming financial services by enabling institutions to personalize offerings at scale, automate complex decisions, and detect fraud in real time. In payments and lending, advanced models now allow for smarter risk assessment and faster approvals, while predictive analytics in wealth management give customers highly tailored guidance. Fraud detection remains central, as AI in banking helps firms stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats. From a fintech PR and fintech marketing perspective, communicating these innovations clearly to stakeholders and customers is essential. Institutions that pair breakthrough technology with effective digital PR and SEO strategies will be best positioned to capture attention and trust.
2. For global financial institutions, what are the biggest barriers to adopting AI at scale technical, cultural, or regulatory?
Regulation is the biggest barrier because financial services operate under strict oversight across all markets. Even when organizations have the technical capabilities and cultural readiness, uncertainty around compliance slows adoption. This is where strategic PR plays a role: institutions must manage both regulatory perception and public understanding of AI. By using digital PR and fintech marketing campaigns, firms can highlight transparency, explain responsible practices, and reinforce trust while navigating evolving frameworks.
3. Do you think AI will deepen trust in financial institutions or does it risk creating new skepticism among customers?
AI has the potential to deepen trust when it improves accuracy, reduces errors, and personalizes financial experiences. Customers respond positively when services anticipate their needs and deliver tangible value. However, if AI is viewed as opaque, skepticism will grow. This is why fintech PR is critical. Clear communication about how AI works, paired with strong SEO strategies that surface authoritative explanations, will influence whether customers see AI as a trustworthy innovation or a risk.
4. How can FinTech startups collaborate or compete in leveraging AI to capture market share?
Startups can leverage AI more quickly because they are not weighed down by legacy systems. Collaboration with larger institutions creates opportunities for integration, while competition comes from offering faster, more personalized services. To gain real market share, startups need more than just technology. They must invest in fintech marketing to reach the right audiences, use digital PR to build credibility, and deploy SEO strategies that make them discoverable at critical decision points. The combination of innovation and effective PR is what enables startups to stand out.
5. Are we moving toward a standardized global regulatory framework for AI in finance, or will regional rules dominate?
Regional rules will dominate for the foreseeable future, as regulation is tied to local governments and political priorities. While conversations around AI governance are becoming more global, adoption will remain fragmented. For financial institutions, this creates both risk and opportunity. Strong fintech PR and digital PR strategies can help organizations position themselves as leaders in compliance while also reinforcing their global credibility. By using SEO to distribute thought leadership on regulatory responsibility, firms can shape the narrative in multiple markets.
6. In the next 3–5 years, what predictions do you have for how AI will transform the financial services sector?
In the next three to five years, AI will drive a shift from reactive to predictive financial services. Compliance will become more efficient, customer interactions will be powered by smarter automation, and decisions will increasingly be data-driven. The firms that win will be those that integrate AI into both operations and fintech marketing strategies. Effective PR, digital PR, and SEO will be as important as the technology itself, ensuring that innovations are communicated, discoverable, and trusted. Soon, AI will no longer be a differentiator but a baseline expectation across the sector.
- About Ronn Torossian
- About 5WPR
Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company’s growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O’Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year.
5WPR is a full-service PR agency known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues, and ideas. Founded in 2003, 5W has been named a top US and NYC PR Agency by leading industry publication O’Dwyer’s, as well as awarded Agency of the Year in the 2024 American Business Awards®, and continuously brings leading businesses a resourceful, bold, and results-driven approach to communication. The agency has more than 250 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, Nonprofit), B2B (Corporate Communications and Reputation Management), Public Affairs, Crisis Communications and Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, SEO). In addition to its business accolades, 5W was named to the 2024 Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list. For more information and to join our team visit 5W Careers.