The Role of AI in Fraud Detection: Are financial institutions using the most effective systems?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58886/jfi.v23i2.10086Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Fraud Detection, Fraud Prevention, Real-time Processing, Financial InstitutionsAbstract
This paper explores the use of AI in fraud detection and prevention, highlighting both its advantages and limitations. While AI strengthens fraud-fighting capabilities and delivers substantial cost savings, it also raises challenges related to model interpretability, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance. System flaws can lead to severe penalties, reinforcing the need for ongoing human oversight. In this context, compliance officers, fraud analysts, and auditors remain essential for reviewing flagged anomalies, validating AI-driven decisions, and addressing complex or ambiguous cases. The study emphasizes that effective fraud prevention in the U.S. financial system requires a balanced integration of AI technologies with human judgment to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance.
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