AI Agents Take a New Role at BNY Mellon
Bank of New York Mellon is taking a bold step into the future of workplace automation by equipping dozens of its AI-powered agents—called “digital employees”—with their own logins, and soon, email accounts. This signals a shift in how banks are integrating artificial intelligence into their operations.
From Automation to Autonomy
Leigh-Ann Russell, the bank’s Chief Information Officer, shared with the Wall Street Journal that BNY’s AI innovation hub has built two key AI personas: one tasked with cleaning up software code and the other focused on validating payment instructions. These bots don’t just execute simple commands—they operate independently, with defined roles and responsibilities within specific teams. Crucially, each digital employee has a direct human manager overseeing its functions.
Assigned Logins and Upcoming Email Integration
By giving these AI agents their own login credentials, BNY Mellon enables them to access internal applications just like human employees. This move ensures accountability and allows these bots to work with greater autonomy while maintaining clear audit trails. The bank is now preparing to assign email accounts to these digital workers. There are even plans to integrate them with Microsoft Teams, allowing them to flag issues or reach out to colleagues in real time.
More Bots on the Way, Humans Still Hired
The bank is not stopping here. It plans to develop additional AI agents for more specialized roles across departments. However, BNY Mellon emphasizes that the rise of digital employees does not replace the need for human talent. The firm continues to recruit people, positioning AI as a support system rather than a substitute.
BNY Mellon’s approach offers a glimpse into how traditional financial institutions are embracing AI—not just as a back-end tool, but as part of the workforce itself.