When UBS digitally cloned three dozen equity analysts into AI-generated avatars, it wasn’t just experimenting with client communications but sounding the opening bell on a new era in financial services. This wasn’t deepfake theatre or AI as a back-office assistant. It was artificial intelligence stepping into the polished shoes of the investment banker.

The avatars, trained to deliver short videos based on research notes—complete with facial expressions and gestures—represent a subtle but significant shift. UBS reports that clients respond to them as positively as traditional analysts, even if the result feels slightly uncanny.