Finextra and Unifits to host webinar on AI in payments testing
Finextra Research, in association with Unifits, is set to host a webinar examining the practical realities of using artificial intelligence in payments testing. The online session, titled Fact or Fiction: Exploring the reality of AI in payments testing, will take place on Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 15:00 BST, 16:00 CEST and 10:00 EDT.
The webinar will focus on how financial institutions can apply AI in testing environments while maintaining the reliability, accountability and auditability required in regulated payments operations. The discussion comes as payments testing becomes increasingly complex due to the growth of payment methods, strict validation requirements, regression testing demands and ongoing regulatory obligations.
AI opportunities and limitations in payments testing
According to the event description, AI can support payments testing by improving automation, usability, contextualisation and efficiency. However, the technology also presents challenges, particularly in ISO 20022-based environments, where probabilistic AI systems must operate alongside deterministic validation processes.
Finextra said the key issue for financial institutions is how to use AI without introducing additional operational or compliance risk. The webinar will explore where AI performs well, where its limitations lie and how it can be deployed in ways that support scalable testing setups without compromising control.
The session will also examine how institutions can leverage AI for testing in ISO 20022 environments and what opportunities may emerge as the industry moves towards the next ISO 20022 milestones. Another focus will be the governance, controls and auditability frameworks needed when integrating AI into regulated payments testing.
Hybrid models and regulatory transparency
The event materials highlight the importance of hybrid testing models, in which AI is used to assist with analysis, insight generation and efficiency improvements, while deterministic systems remain responsible for execution and validation under human oversight. This approach is presented as a way for institutions to capture the benefits of AI without weakening reliability or accountability.
Organisers also noted that explainability, reproducibility and regulatory transparency remain central concerns for financial institutions adopting AI-driven test generation and optimisation. These considerations are particularly relevant in payments environments where traceability and consistent rule application are essential.
Speakers
The webinar will feature Phillip Stranger, AI Subject Matter Expert at Unifits, and Teresa Connors, Contributing Editor at Finextra, who will moderate the discussion.
Finextra said the panel will address the practical realities of AI in payments testing and the steps financial institutions can take to build effective operating models that balance innovation with regulatory expectations.
Industry Analysis
The webinar reflects a broader industry shift toward exploring AI as a tool for operational improvement in highly regulated financial processes. Payments testing is a natural area of interest because it combines technical complexity with strict compliance requirements, making it a useful benchmark for how AI can be applied responsibly in financial services.
The emphasis on hybrid models suggests that, for now, the market is likely to favour AI augmentation rather than full automation in sensitive testing environments. As ISO 20022 adoption continues, institutions will need to align innovation with governance, traceability and deterministic control to ensure AI supports rather than undermines testing integrity.
