What's behind AI you can trust?
There's no denying that AI is transforming human capacity. But figuring out how to integrate game-changing processes and innovation — while maintaining the right levels of transparency and controls — requires a human touch.
For Sumee Seetharaman, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Practice at TD, human values and skills sit at the heart of the Bank's approach to AI development.
This week, TD was recognized in the 2026 Evident AI Index for Banks, which ranks 50 of the world's largest banks on AI maturity or enterprise-wide AI adoption.
As part of the annual index, TD ranked among the Top 10 banks globally and No. 2 in Canada. The Bank was also recognized for its responsible approach to innovation, ranking No. 4 for responsible AI and No. 5 for AI transparency.
According to the Evident AI Banking Index, transparency is a critical component of AI maturity and helps organizations learn from one another as AI adoption continues across industries.
Digital first, human always
At TD, the seamless integration of AI into the client and colleague experience is a top priority, with the Bank prioritizing governance, transparency, and responsible innovation.
“At TD, AI innovation and responsible AI are not separate conversations,” Seetharaman said.
"Innovation depends on responsible AI because it creates the foundation and guardrails to innovate with confidence and at scale. Governance, transparency, and responsible innovation is how we earn and maintain trust."
As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible AI, earlier this year the Bank launched the TD Responsible AI Principles, which are designed to establish seven commitments that guide how AI is developed, deployed, and used across TD.
These commitments support a responsible approach to AI grounded in laws that already apply to financial institutions, as well as transparency and explainability, data use and privacy, fairness, quality and accountability, reliability, and security. TD is also incorporating the Responsible AI Principles into employee education programs, helping colleagues understand expectations related to the responsible use of AI at the Bank.
How is AI changing banking?
Banking is built on trust. And while Canadians are warming up to the idea of AI helping them make financial decisions, there's still some hesitancy.
According to a recent study from TD, roughly 59% of respondents said they would be comfortable with AI helping them get quick answers about fees or products, but only one in three respondents would trust AI more than their parents when it comes to financial advice.
“Canadians have long depended on sound human judgment to support their financial decisions and experiences,” Seetharaman said.
“AI makes achieving it more possible, but it must be equally reliable and relatable. "AI provides a unique opportunity for TD to augment human impact with AI efficiency; the possibilities for impact are limitless."
