From Banker to Digital Innovator: Eric Cook, Founder and CEO of Cook Technology Solutions and Chief Mentor at The Linked Banker, on Harnessing AI for the Future of Community Banks

About this episode

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Alec sits down with Eric Cook, founder and CEO of Cook Technology Solutions, part of WSI since 2007 and founder and chief mentor at The Linked Banker, to discuss digital transformation and AI adoption in the banking sector. Eric shares his personal journey from being an “accidental banker” to a leader in digital innovation for community banks, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and leveraging technology for strategic advantage. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in banking, including practical use cases, the need for robust training, and the critical importance of human oversight in AI-driven decisions. Eric offers insights into helping banks overcome fear and resistance to AI by focusing on business objectives and aligning technology with organizational strategy. The episode concludes with a lightning round, highlighting Eric’s perspectives on industry trends, technology, and personal passions.

Summary:

1. Digital Transformation in Banking: Eric Cook shares his transition from traditional banking to digital consulting, underscoring the need for banks to embrace strategic online presence and personal branding.
2. AI Adoption & Training: The discussion highlights the gap between AI usage and formal training in banks, stressing the importance of education, policies, and software guardrails.
3. Risk Management & Ethics: Eric advocates for a “human in the loop” approach, ensuring all AI outputs are critically reviewed for compliance, security, and fairness.
4. Future-Proofing with AI: Banks are encouraged to adopt diverse AI tools and workflows, moving beyond single-platform reliance to maximize innovation and efficiency.
5. Practical Assessment: Eric outlines his company’s approach to AI assessments, focusing on business goals and overcoming the “failure of imagination” in AI strategy development.

Companies/Organizations:

1. Cook Technology Solutions
2. WSI
3. The Linked Banker
4. Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
5. International Franchise Association
6. Michigan Bankers Association
7. Marketing AI Institute
8. JP Morgan

Books:

1. Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank by Allison Netzer and Liz High

Movies:

1. Blade Runner

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