The UK’s FCA has unveiled a new initiative aimed at boosting artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across the financial sector.
The regulator announced the launch of its “Supercharged Sandbox”, a next-generation testing environment that will allow financial services firms to experiment safely with AI, in partnership with NVIDIA.
This latest development builds on the FCA’s broader strategy to support economic growth through innovation and technological advancement. The Supercharged Sandbox will give participating firms access to enhanced datasets, technical support, and regulatory guidance, helping them navigate the early stages of AI experimentation.
The sandbox is designed specifically for firms still in the discovery and experimentation phase of AI development. Those at a more advanced stage can engage with the FCA’s existing AI Live Testing service, which supports firms preparing to deploy AI solutions in real-world settings.
Participants in the Supercharged Sandbox will be able to leverage NVIDIA’s accelerated computing infrastructure and its AI Enterprise Software, which offers powerful tools for automating processes, analysing complex data, and improving decision-making capabilities. This infrastructure will support firms looking to improve efficiency, risk management and performance across a range of financial services.
FCA chief data, intelligence and information officer Jessica Rusu said, “This collaboration will help those that want to test AI ideas but who lack the capabilities to do so. We’ll help firms harness AI to benefit our markets and consumers, while supporting economic growth.”
NVIDIA EMEA head of financial technology Dr Jochen Papenbrock added, “AI is fundamentally reshaping the financial sector by automating processes, enhancing data analysis, and improving decision-making, which leads to greater efficiency, accuracy, and risk management across a wide range of financial activities. The FCA’s Supercharged Sandbox provides firms with a secure environment to explore AI innovations using NVIDIA’s full stack accelerated computing platform, supporting industry-wide growth and efficiency.”
Applications for the sandbox are now open via the FCA’s website, with successful firms expected to begin experimenting in October.
A global coalition of financial regulators, led by the UK’s FCA, have recently taken coordinated action to clamp down on so-called “finfluencers” promoting unauthorised financial products across social media platforms.
According to Finextra, these online personalities, who often portray lavish lifestyles to boost credibility, are increasingly drawing regulatory scrutiny for misleading content.
As part of a newly launched initiative dubbed the “global week of action against unlawful finfluencers,” regulators from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates joined the FCA in investigating and acting against individuals using their online influence to push financial promotions without proper authorisation.
Keep up with all the latest RegTech news here
Copyright © 2025 RegTech Analyst
Copyright © 2018 RegTech Analyst
