Maisie Muir

Maths is my favourite thing and I’ve always enjoyed coding. When I finished my maths degree at Cambridge University, I wanted a job that allowed me to do both.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was an obvious choice – the field was starting to boom and the newness of it was exciting. So, I did some internships and a Master’s degree in AI to learn more about it and have loved it ever since.

I joined HSBC as a graduate on the Data Science and Engineering programme, where I worked with traditional machine learning algorithms.

In the past three years, the world of AI has grown significantly, especially with advancements in the field of generative AI. I’ve been impressed by how quickly HSBC has adapted to the changes and worked on integrating this technology into the company.

My team works with generative AI. This includes exploring the potential of large language models to build products for the businesses and functions across HSBC.

As part of this, we’re looking at how we can leverage large language models through a chatbot-style tool. This tool could benefit colleagues by making it easier to discover, summarise and condense information.

My role is about ensuring the safety and accuracy of our products. I lead a team of developers working across a range of disciplines, such as data science, software engineering and web design.

Together, we build frameworks and models to govern and monitor our AI tools – for instance, by detecting and preventing misuse, reducing the risk of bias, and measuring the accuracy of the tools’ outputs.

It’s an area I’m passionate about. I don’t want to build AI products for the sake of it. I want to make sure we’re doing it responsibly and creating solutions that are genuinely effective and helpful, and that function as intended.

AI development is a great area of the bank to work in. Our team has the culture of a start-up in many ways, and I’m given creative freedom to explore my own ideas.

There are two main sides to my job. When I’m not writing or reviewing code or devising technical and mathematical solutions, I’m presenting solutions to senior leaders and governance teams in the bank.

After work, I head to the gym, where I do weightlifting – or Olympic weightlifting, as it’s sometimes known. I got into it after university, when I was searching for something new and competitive to get my teeth into.

I now train for two hours a day, five days a week, and I’m aiming to compete at a national level this year. The sport makes me feel strong, inside and out, and reinforces the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to.