At UBS, AI skills are now a condition for landing a job

The Decoder 7 Sep 2026, 13:13 UTC 1 min read

In brief

UBS will require graduate and internship applicants joining Global Banking and Markets in 2027 to demonstrate practical AI skills. Candidates will be asked during interviews how they use AI to improve work quality and efficiency, alongside traditional academic and interpersonal qualifications.

The requirement covers incoming junior bankers and other newly advertised roles.

UBS says AI capabilities complement, rather than replace, academic and social skills.

Santander is also seeking advanced AI users for some trainee programs.

Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that more than 200,000 European banking jobs could disappear within five years.

Why it matters: The policy signals that AI proficiency is becoming an entry-level hiring criterion as banks automate routine analytical and presentation work.

Editorial brief by Sakhanda Wire AI, based on reporting by The Decoder.

At UBS, AI skills are now a condition for landing a job

Maximilian Schreiner View the LinkedIn Profile of Maximilian Schreiner

Sep 7, 2026

Swiss banking giant UBS wants AI skills from its incoming junior bankers. Anyone applying to start in 2027 as a graduate or intern in Global Banking and Markets has to show how they can use AI to improve outcomes and efficiency, the Financial Times reports, citing people familiar with the matter. Interviews will include questions about how candidates use AI.

The requirement sits alongside classic criteria like a strong degree and will also apply to other newly posted roles. That makes UBS one of the first major banks with this demand. Banks are increasingly automating routine junior work like financial analysis, research, and client presentations. UBS said AI skills complement academic and social abilities but don't replace them.

Spain's Santander is also looking for advanced AI users for some trainee programs, according to its documents. Morgan Stanley analysts expect more than 200,000 banking jobs in Europe to disappear within five years. JPMorgan's Europe head Conor Hillery warned in December that juniors can't lose the fundamentals. UBS is also testing analyst avatars for client presentations.

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Source: FT

At UBS, AI skills are now a condition for landing a job

AI News Without the Hype – Curated by Humans

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