Standard Chartered's Bill Winters recently sparked a backlash with comments on AI and "lower-value human capital". Earlier this month, delivering a blunt message on the future of the bank’s workforce, Winters warned that a push into artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate thousands of roles as the lender replaces “lower-value human capital” with technology.

Insensitive wording cannot divert from the reality that investment in AI only makes sense if work requires fewer employees

Bill Winters, the CEO of Standard Chartered, says about 15% of “back office” corporate function roles will be reduced in the next four years.