NatWest launches AI ethics accreditation for all staff

KAREN JOY BACUDO

Finance Editor

NatWest has launched a bank-wide accreditation in AI and data ethics for staff, available to all 60,000 employees across the group.

The programme is designed to help employees use artificial intelligence responsibly in day-to-day work as AI tools become more common across the organisation. It follows an earlier course developed with the University of Edinburgh and delivered to about 90 employees across different business areas and roles.

Under the new scheme, staff will complete eight e-learning modules linked to NatWest’s AI ethics principles, followed by a half-day collaborative session focused on practical application. The course also includes guidance on identifying, assessing and managing ethical risks when using AI, including how to judge whether AI-driven decisions are fair and how training data can affect outcomes.

Employees who complete the course will receive an internal accreditation from NatWest and are expected to continue learning as AI standards and tools evolve. The programme is expected to take two to three months to complete, with the first modules launching in June and the wider rollout continuing through October.

Wider AI use

The accreditation forms part of a broader push by NatWest to expand the use of AI, data and digital tools across the bank while maintaining oversight of how those systems are used. All employees have completed core AI modules, and more than half have chosen to take additional training.

NatWest has also been introducing generative AI tools for internal use in research, analysis, customer interactions, fraud prevention and complaints handling. For customers, the bank highlighted AI-enabled virtual assistants, including Cora, which can help people manage finances and access more personalised support.

The lender has also been involved in external work on AI governance. It has supported the Responsible AI Network, an initiative that brings together practitioners, academics and businesses to discuss ethical AI, and has collaborated with the Financial Conduct Authority through the regulator’s AI Live Testing programme on security and ethical practices in agentic AI technology.

Dr Paul Dongha outlined the bank’s reasoning for the new training.

“As AI becomes increasingly embedded in how we serve customers and run our bank, it’s important that we equip colleagues with the skills and confidence to use it responsibly. Building on our existing AI and data ethics training, this accreditation gives our colleagues even more practical tools to recognise risks, ask the right questions and make better decisions in their day-to-day roles. By bringing this to all our colleagues, we’re building a strong culture of responsible AI, helping ensure we continue to be a trusted partner to our customers by meeting their needs, improving their banking experience and delivering consistent outcomes,” said Dr Paul Dongha, Head of Responsible AI and AI Strategy, NatWest Group.

Training focus

The original programme with the University of Edinburgh was developed as a bespoke course to improve understanding of AI and its ethical implications in a banking setting. NatWest said it was delivered across three cohorts and combined academic input with case studies intended to help staff apply the lessons in practical situations.

By extending that work across the whole bank, NatWest is seeking to make AI and data ethics training part of routine professional development rather than a specialist activity. The focus on structured learning and internal accreditation suggests it wants a common framework for staff using AI tools in customer-facing and operational roles.

One employee who took part in a pilot of the programme described how AI is already being used in daily work.

“AI is already becoming a really useful part of my day-to-day work, helping me find information more quickly and respond to customers more efficiently while making sure they get the right support. I can see it playing an even bigger role going forward, so having this kind of training will be really important in helping me use these tools confidently, understand where the risks are, and make sure I’m using them in a responsible way,” the staff said.