Hello bank! revolutionizes banking with HelloïZ 2.0 and Mistral's AI

Hello bank!, the fully digital subsidiary of BNP Paribas, is making significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence with the launch of version 2.0 of its conversational assistant, HelloïZ. This new tool is built on the powerful language models developed by Mistral AI, a French company specializing in generative AI.

A New Era for HelloïZ

The first version of HelloïZ was based on a system of predefined intents, limiting its capabilities to responding only to simple and standardized questions. Now, with the integration of generative AI, HelloïZ can formulate real-time responses tailored to the context and specific requests of the customer. Currently, it recognizes 25 transactional intents, such as transfers or card blocking, and guides users to the appropriate options to carry out these operations autonomously.

A major evolution is expected by the end of 2026, when HelloïZ will be able to perform transactions directly in the chat, allowing users to manage operations like modifying payment limits without leaving the conversation. Bertrand Cizeau, director of Hello bank!, emphasizes the importance of this transition to generative AI, with over 350,000 conversations processed each year.

100% French Collaboration

Hello bank! has partnered with renowned French companies for this technological advancement. The language models from Mistral AI, already in partnership with BNP Paribas, are at the heart of this transformation. Marjorie Janiewicz, Chief Revenue Officer of Mistral AI, states that this collaboration makes the banking experience more intuitive and personalized.

On its part, Giskard, a French company specializing in the evaluation and security of AI systems, ensures that HelloïZ is reliable and compliant with the strict regulations of the financial sector. Jean-Marie John-Mathews, co-CEO of Giskard, stresses the need to audit generative AI applications in production.

Potential Impact on the Banking Sector

The launch of HelloïZ 2.0 goes beyond mere technological innovation. It could potentially influence the entire banking sector, which is often cautious about advancements in AI. If the initiative proves successful, it could encourage other players to adopt AI assistants capable of handling simple transactions, thereby reducing the need for human intervention for these tasks.

However, Hello bank! assures that its AI remains at the service of humans. HelloïZ is available around the clock, with the option for customers to contact a human advisor from the "Hello Team" at any time, based in Lille and Mérignac.