Fed's Waller Addresses AI Agent Impact on Payments at Sibos

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller addressed financial industry leaders at Sibos 2026 in Miami, Florida, focusing on the growing influence of artificial intelligence agents on the global payments system. The remarks signal the Fed's increasing attention to how automated, AI-driven processes are beginning to intersect with core financial infrastructure.

AI agents — software systems capable of executing complex tasks autonomously — are emerging as a significant force in financial services, with potential applications ranging from transaction initiation and fraud detection to real-time settlement and compliance monitoring. Waller's appearance at one of the financial industry's premier annual gatherings underscores the Fed's recognition that these technologies are no longer speculative but operationally relevant.

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Sibos, organized annually by SWIFT, convenes thousands of banking executives, regulators, and technology firms to address developments in transaction banking, payments, and financial infrastructure. A senior Fed governor addressing payments and AI at such a forum reflects the regulatory community's effort to engage proactively with industry stakeholders as the technology evolves.

The Fed has been navigating a rapidly shifting payments environment that already includes faster payments infrastructure such as FedNow, stablecoin policy debates, and cross-border payment modernization. The introduction of AI agents into this environment adds layers of complexity around accountability, error resolution, consumer protection, and systemic risk that regulators are only beginning to map.

Waller's remarks are part of a broader pattern of Fed officials publicly engaging with emerging technology questions as policymakers seek to balance innovation with financial stability. Continue reading at FRB: Speeches.