Much ink has been spilled on how banks can improve efficiencies, but solutions have always seemed to disappoint. Even so, there is growing optimism that a new generation of cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies will finally empower institutions to make real advances with their operations—both in terms of cost and customer engagement. Michael Sisk, contributing editor at American Banker, sat down for a conversation with Michael Abbott, a senior managing director at Accenture and the company's global banking lead, to get his views.