- Dixon Schwabl + Company (DS+CO) announces the launch of its AI Readiness Check, a new digital assessment that helps financial institutions measure their preparedness for responsible AI adoption. The launch coincides with the New York Bankers Association (NYBA) Financial Services Forum this week, where DS+CO Chief Transformation Officer Malorie Benjamin presented "AI in Action: A Practical Guide to Building Intelligent, Trust-Driven Banking."

Developed in partnership with Cause + Effect Strategy and FLX AI, the tool enables executives to quickly gauge organizational maturity across five pillars — strategy, risk, data, talent and governance — and receive tailored next steps for responsible AI deployment.

"The financial industry doesn't have a technology problem; it has a trust problem," Benjamin said. "AI Readiness Check bridges that gap. Built on DS+CO's 'Four Levels of Responsible AI' framework — Leadership Readiness, Design, Measurable Trust and Strategic Alignment — the assessment helps boards and executives align culture, data and governance before they deploy technology. By partnering with Cause + Effect's Strategy's analytics expertise and FLX AI's applied research, we're giving leaders a clear, evidence-based view of where they stand and how to move forward responsibly."

AI Readiness Check is available at aireadycheck.dixonschwabl.com. Participants receive instant insights into their AI readiness stage and prioritized recommendations. Aggregated, anonymized responses will inform a forthcoming "State of AI Readiness in Banking" report, set for early 2026.

"Financial institutions are under pressure to adopt AI fast. But without guardrails, speed becomes risk," Cause + Effect Strategy President John Loury said. "This tool brings structure, clarity and governance to that race."

Benjamin's NYBA presentation highlighted how leadership readiness — not just data maturity — defines AI success in regulated environments.

"AI is only transformative when it's responsibly governed," said Karla George, CEO and co-founder of FLX AI. "This collaboration ensures financial institutions can innovate with confidence, backed by data integrity and ethical design."

Financial leaders are invited to take the AI Readiness Check and join the conversation that's shaping the "State of AI Readiness in Banking" benchmark. Progress starts when leaders ask the right questions.