Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Axis Bank Sees AI Moving Toward Autonomous Execution
Axis Bank has used artificial intelligence for more than ten years.
It uses AI for tasks such as spotting fraud and managing risk.
The bank now wants to use newer AI that can do more than give suggestions.
These systems could carry out steps in a process and help with repetitive work.
Raghavendra says AI can also help security teams find and respond to cyber threats faster.
But AI and other technology can create risks, including dependence on a few providers.
The bank says it is strengthening security, checking how AI is governed and preparing ways to recover from cyberattacks.
It is also considering future technologies such as quantum computing.
Its main goal is to make customer interactions simpler and more reliable.
Axis Bank has used AI and machine learning for more than a decade, including in risk management and fraud detection.
Raghavendra says banking AI is moving from recommendations toward systems that can carry out actions and coordinate workflows.
The bank has strengthened security controls and says AI helps speed up threat detection, investigation and remediation.
He identifies geopolitical and concentration risks tied to critical technology providers, and stresses resilience and diversification.
Axis Bank has created dedicated AI organisation and governance functions and is validating clean-recovery capabilities.
- Who
- Avinash Raghavendra, Group Head – IT & Retail Operations at Axis Bank.
- What
- He discussed the bank’s AI strategy, cybersecurity, technology risks, governance and priorities.
- When
- In an interview; no publication date is provided.
- Where
- The interview concerns Axis Bank; no interview location is stated.
- Why
- Raghavendra said fast-changing technology requires institutions to adapt while managing emerging risks and improving customer service.
Greater AI Adoption
Stronger Risk Controls
AI deployment and oversight
Greater AI Adoption
Avinash Raghavendra says agentic AI could automate repetitive work and coordinate end-to-end banking workflows, improving efficiency and customer service.
Stronger Risk Controls
He also emphasizes model governance, security controls, independent oversight and reducing reliance on external AI providers where appropriate.
Technology-provider dependence
Greater AI Adoption
External AI platforms can support expanding AI use across banking processes.
Stronger Risk Controls
Raghavendra warns that dependence on critical technology providers creates concentration and geopolitical risks, and stresses diversification, continuity planning and sovereign capabilities.
- Interviewee
- Avinash Raghavendra, Group Head – IT & Retail Operations at Axis Bank
- Earlier AI use
- Axis Bank has used AI and machine learning for more than a decade in areas including risk management and fraud detection.
- Adi usage
- The AI-powered employee assistant has recorded over 750,000 interactions and more than 35,000 monthly active users.
- Cybersecurity measures
- The bank has strengthened perimeter controls, access governance, AI model governance and security in AI-assisted software-development pipelines.
- Cyber recovery
- The bank says it is validating clean-recovery mechanisms to restore operations in an isolated, uncompromised environment.
- AI governance
- Axis Bank has established an Enterprise AI organisation and a specialised AI governance function.
- Future technology
- Raghavendra identifies quantum computing as a potential major technological inflection point and says financial institutions have begun considering post-quantum cryptography plans.