Karen Joy Bakud
financial editor
Lloyds Banking Group plans to create more than 1,000 artificial intelligence roles as it expands its use of agent AI, with around 300 of these roles expected to open in the coming months.
Roles will be filled internally and externally and include data and AI scientists, engineers, responsible AI specialists, and AI product managers. Over 700 colleagues are already working on agent AI use cases across the group.
Adoption is being driven by Lloyds’ increasing use of AI tools in customer service and internal operations. One customer product already in use is Bank of Scotland’s AI financial assistant for customers, which has been adopted by more than 500,000 users.
Alongside recruitment, Lloyds is also expanding its training of existing staff. Since January, employees across the Group have taken more than 400,000 courses through the AI Academy, and more than 65,000 colleagues have completed training modules focused on the responsible use of AI.
The program targets the bank’s 67,000 employees and includes interactive learning, workshops and live demonstrations tailored to a variety of job roles. The aim is to empower staff to confidently use AI tools in their daily work while maintaining oversight of risk and governance.
Focus of fraud
Among the practical applications currently being deployed are AI fraud detection agents that analyze payments in real-time. These systems are designed to identify and stop potential fraud before money leaves customers’ accounts.
The model continuously evaluates patterns and behaviors, enabling faster and more consistent decision-making as fraud techniques become more complex. These uses in fraud prevention demonstrate how Lloyds is applying agent AI to operational areas with clear customer impact.
Sharon Doherty outlined how the group sees technology being used across the business.
“AI is becoming increasingly important in how we support our customers and how we work across the Lloyds Banking Group. As we expand our use of AI, we are focused on how it can bring real benefits to our everyday roles, helping colleagues make better decisions and delivering faster, more effective and more personalized support to our customers. This will make AI practical and accessible, and will enable everyone to use AI in ways that drive meaningful change. ,” said Sharon Doherty, chief people and location officer at Lloyds Banking Group.
skills pipeline
The bank has also added a Level 6 AI Engineering Apprenticeship scheme, which it says is one of the first such schemes offered by a UK bank. A group of 33 apprentices will take part in the program across Lloyds’ UK sites, gaining experience within the business while working towards a Level 6 qualification in AI Engineering.
The apprenticeship scheme aims to build a long-term talent pipeline for AI specialist roles and create an alternative route for existing staff into technical roles. This also reflects broader competition among large employers for workers with skills in machine learning, data, and AI governance.
Lloyds has also brought back its Data and AI Summer School after its last edition attracted over 90,000 registrations across 200 sessions in two months. The latest version includes over 250 sessions spanning on-demand learning, live classes, and hands-on workshops.
Sessions will cover topics ranging from data literacy and visualization to machine learning and applied AI. This structure is intended to enable staff to apply what they learn in a real-world work environment, rather than treating AI as a separate technical field.
One of the apprentices who took part in the program explained the role it can play in building trust in technology.
“My apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to build practical skills in software engineering while learning how AI can support our everyday jobs. Being able to apply that learning to a real business environment with the support of experienced colleagues helps build confidence. I know I can use these skills responsibly to support my colleagues and improve the way we work.” said Lloyds Banking Group’s Level 6 AI. apprentice Emma Richards said.
