Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Talks

Episode: FIS's Stephanie Ferris Talks Earnings, AI Risk
Date: February 25, 2026
Host/Interviewer: Bloomberg (possibly Matt Miller or Tom Keene)
Guest: Stephanie Ferris, CEO of FIS

Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Stephanie Ferris, CEO of financial technology giant FIS, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of payments, banking, and global financial services. The discussion unpacks how a recent research report predicted AI could eliminate longstanding industry practices—specifically, transaction fees—and what this could ultimately mean for financial services providers, customers, and workforces. Ferris shares her optimistic, yet pragmatic, perspective on technological disruption, AI adoption, talent development, and the resilience of the US consumer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI as a Generational Disruptor in Finance

• Ferris positions the current moment as a “generational shift” for financial services, citing converging trends of organic and inorganic growth, innovation (crypto, tokenized assets), and the transformative impact of AI (02:10).
• She emphasizes FIS’s unique vantage point:

  “We support like 12% of the world's economy, uses our technology… we have a great purview in terms of what’s happening.” (Stephanie Ferris, 02:18)

• Ferris frames AI not as a threat but as an accelerant:

  “We don't see a world where we're disrupted by AI. We actually see a world where AI is a strategic accelerant.” (Stephanie Ferris, 03:17)

2. Data as an AI Competitive Advantage

• FIS’s vast data resources—over a billion cardholder accounts, 73 billion processed transactions, and nearly a billion bank accounts on file—are highlighted as essential for leveraging AI and assisting client innovation (03:40).
• Ferris notes:

  “What you need to have AI capabilities is a fantastic data...strategy and that's what we have.” (Stephanie Ferris, 03:20)

3. Evolution, Not Replacement, of Payment Systems

• Reflecting on technological waves (internet, Bitcoin), Ferris asserts that innovations like AI and crypto add to the ecosystem rather than nullify legacy systems (05:39).
• Notable quote:

  “We haven't seen ACH go away, we haven't seen branches go away, we haven't seen ATMs go away. It's an ‘and.’” (Stephanie Ferris, 06:25)

• FIS’s responsibility is to enable all payment rails—checks, ACH, crypto, tokenized deposits—ensuring clients can adopt what they need (05:39).

4. AI Literacy and Workforce Development

• Ferris is committed to upskilling FIS’s 55,000 employees, emphasizing AI literacy for all roles, both for product development and internal productivity (07:32).
• On cultural adoption and generational change:

  “It's like putting a computer on your desk…I talk to them all the time about…remember when you had a desk and you did paperwork, and then the next day you had a computer? No one taught you how to use it. You powered it on and figured it out.” (Stephanie Ferris, 06:50)

• Personal anecdote: Ferris draws a parallel between her father (who struggled with computers in the 90s) and today’s older workers facing AI, reinforcing the need for organizational support and personal curiosity (07:32, 09:05).

5. AI’s Impact on Labor Markets and Consumer Health

• Addressing AI-related job loss fears, Ferris acknowledges the debate but notes FIS’s focus on growth, not reduction (07:15).
• Ferris stresses the resilience and ongoing health of the US (and global) consumer:

  “We’re not seeing signs that a consumer is under stress or duress.” (Stephanie Ferris, 09:38)

• She expresses optimism about the ability of workers—especially younger generations—to adapt, while highlighting the importance of equal opportunity for technological upskilling (10:13).

6. Notable, Memorable Moments

• The interviewer jokingly insists Ferris isn’t “older” after her generational anecdote (10:12).
• Ferris’s Ohio roots provide a brief, lighthearted moment among the panel (11:36).

Timestamped Segment Highlights

• 02:10–04:55: Stephanie Ferris on AI as a transformative, yet positive, force in financial services and FIS’s position as a data leader.
• 05:39–07:15: Evolution of payment rails; why new payment technologies are additive, not replacement.
• 07:32–08:27: AI literacy and workforce transformation, cultural/ generational perspectives on adopting new tech.
• 09:05–09:38: The health of the US consumer, based on proprietary FIS transaction data.
• 10:12–10:13: Generational anecdotes about tech learning, optimism for workforce adaptation.

Notable Quotes

• Stephanie Ferris (03:17):
  “We don't see a world where we're disrupted by AI. We actually see a world where AI is a strategic accelerant.”
• Stephanie Ferris (06:25):
  “We haven't seen ACH go away, we haven't seen branches go away, we haven't seen ATMs go away. It's an ‘and.’”
• Stephanie Ferris (07:32):
  “I need everyone in my company to be using the most cutting edge technology… I put it in every single person's hands. Everybody has digital capabilities, digital agent capabilities.”
• Stephanie Ferris (09:38):
  “No, we’re not [seeing signs of consumer stress]. The consumer remains healthy, banks remain healthy, financial services remains healthy and is growth on.”
• Stephanie Ferris (10:13):
  “It’s really incumbent upon me…to put that [AI] in everybody’s hands. Do I worry about it? Yes and no. But we need to make sure we’re giving everybody an equal opportunity to get after it.”

Tone & Takeaway

Stephanie Ferris projects steady optimism in the face of technology-driven change, advocating for embracing AI as both an enabler and a competitive necessity. Her stance is pragmatic: acknowledge the risks, invest in upskilling, view new technologies as complementary, and take comfort in robust data showing continued health for both the sector and its consumers. Her clear, direct communication and relatable anecdotes keep the discussion engaging, practical, and reassuring for listeners navigating similar transitions.