AI Lab

Unlocking the power of AI to transform banking and build the future of finance.
Welcome to AI Lab – the innovation engine within SC Ventures, designed to explore, experiment, and scale artificial intelligence across financial services.

At SC Ventures, we don’t just study AI — we build with it. From streamlining internal operations to empowering our portfolio companies, AI Lab bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact.

As part of Standard Chartered, we are uniquely positioned to test and scale AI innovations in highly regulated, data-rich environments. By collaborating with startups, technologists, and business leaders, AI Lab accelerates the responsible adoption of AI across core banking, risk management, compliance, customer experience, and more.

"Waiting to see what AI will do to us? Let's decide what it should do for us. We need to lead by example with AI adoption,” said Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures.

Explore how we’re using AI to shape the future — from in-house initiatives to breakthrough applications by our ventures.

Where decisions–not demos–drive innovation.
AI Lab is the decision-making architecture behind how SC Ventures evaluates, validates, and scales AI solutions across the bank and our venture portfolio.
A Venture Capitalist for Internal AI
We apply VC-style discipline to internal use cases — prioritising scalable, high-impact opportunities over hype.
ROI Before AI
Every use case must pass through our validation processes before significant investment–preventing expensive failures and stalled pilots.
From 1,000 ideas to the one that matters
AI Lab solves the paradox of plenty —where too many ideas compete for limited attention — by focusing only on the few that truly move the needle.
Built at the intersection of banking, entrepreneurship, and ecosystems.
AI Lab is more than a tech lab — we’re a strategic partner embedded in both the business and the venture landscape.
We’re purpose-led, not tech-led. While many innovation labs chase the latest technology in search of a problem, we start with the problem — and work backwards to the simplest, most effective solution. We focus on high-impact business challenges that are worth solving and apply AI only when it’s the right fit.
Three Perspectives, One Platform
We sit at the intersection of three critical perspectives — venture building (we know what scales), banking operations (we understand the real constraints), and ecosystem partnerships (we see what's already been solved). This triangulation is rare.
Hybrid DNA
Our team blends entrepreneurial thinking with banking domain expertise — allowing us to operate with agility and relevance.
We ask the hard questions
Before anything is built, we ask, “Should this even exist?”
Tech meets business reality
We bridge the gap between what’s technically possible and what’s commercially viable — ensuring ideas are desirable, feasible, and viable.
Structured, strategic, and scalable.

AI Lab brings clarity and alignment to how AI is explored and deployed. In complex organisations, it’s common to see similar use cases being trialled in silos. We step in to connect the dots.

By surfacing patterns across business units, we help teams make smarter decisions — whether to build, buy, partner, or pivot. Our process ensures that resources are directed toward high-impact, strategically aligned initiatives — backed by data, not guesswork.

We work across the full lifecycle — from early discovery to proof of concept to scaled deployment — helping both internal teams and ventures turn promising ideas into practical, measurable outcomes.

Take two of our ventures:

Qatalyst
applies AI to turn 500-page sustainability reports into clear, actionable investment insights.
Project Themis
uses machine learning to reimagine compliance, shifting from a reactive function to proactive risk intelligence.
Our approach ensures AI doesn’t just stay in the lab — it delivers value in the real world.
Meet the Team

Michael Cutler

Member
AI Use Cases: Portfolio Spotlight
EduVerse / Lexarious

Experiential Learning for Transformative Growth

Companies invest over $50 billion annually in leadership development, yet the outcomes often remain inconsistent and traditional approaches fail to scale effectively. Despite the availability of extensive learning resources, both individuals and organizations find it difficult to cultivate skills at a rate that matches the fast-paced evolution of the modern business environment.
 
EduVerse harnesses generative AI to deliver tailored “real-play” simulations, allowing employees to practice and refine critical skills in realistic environments. The platform builds on the proven effectiveness of in-person role plays and expands them to scale.

Key Features
AI-Powered “Real-Play” Simulations
Lifelike characters mimic real-world interactions.
Custom-Tailored Scenarios
Aligned with an organization’s strategic initiatives.
Nuanced Feedback Mechanisms
Verbal, text-based, and non-verbal feedback.