Student Insight: Gillian Whelan, Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals

“Good outcomes depend on strong governance, data quality, clear accountability and people asking the right questions.”

We speak with Gillian Whelan, Data Protection Manager at PTSB, about her AI learning experience and the opportunities and risks associated with using AI in the financial services industry.

Gillian recently completed the Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals in Financial Services with IOB. Gillian shares how the programme strengthened her expertise and confidence to discuss use of AI in a regulated environment, and assess how the technology can impact data protection, governance and risk.

Hi Gillian, thanks for speaking with us. Can you tell us a little about your current role and your career journey?

I’m currently working as a Data Protection Manager in PTSB, supporting the business on a wide range of data protection matters. My role involves overseeing data protection risk, reviewing new products and process changes, supporting DPIAs, advising on breaches and complaints, and helping to build a strong culture of compliance across the organisation.

In terms of my career, I’ve worked in financial services for over 20 years in a variety of roles. Over time, I found myself becoming more and more interested in governance, regulation and doing the right thing for customers. Data protection felt like a natural fit because it brings together risk, ethics, customer trust and business decision-making in a meaningful way.

You recently completed the Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals in Financial Services. What interested you in taking the programme?

AI has become increasingly relevant across financial services, so I felt it was the right time to build my knowledge in a more structured way. From a data protection and compliance perspective, I wanted to better understand both the opportunities AI presents and the risks that need to be managed.

What really appealed to me about the programme was that it was tailored to financial services. It wasn’t just about the technical side of AI; it looked at it in a practical way through the lens of governance, regulation and responsible use, which of course is especially relevant to my role.

Before taking the programme, how much experience did you have using AI?

Before starting the programme, my experience with AI was fairly limited. Like most people, I was aware of the growing conversation around AI and could already see that it was going to have a significant impact in the workplace.

The programme helped me move from a general awareness of AI to a much clearer understanding of how it works, how it’s being applied in financial services and the key considerations organisations need to think about before adopting it.

Can you tell us about your experience of the programme?

I really enjoyed it. I found it practical, engaging and easy to follow which is important with a topic like AI which can, at times, feel daunting.

What I liked most was that it didn’t just focus on the technical side. It looked at the wider implications of using AI in a regulated environment, especially around governance, fairness, accountability and responsible use. For someone working in a control or oversight role, this is especially valuable and relevant.

What was your favourite aspect of the programme?

My favourite aspect was how grounded it was in real-world use. It recognised that AI offers huge potential, but also that it needs to be approached carefully, particularly in an industry where trust, fairness and regulation are so important.

I also liked that the programme helped me think about real business scenarios, which made the learning more meaningful.

What is one thing you learned about AI that resonated with you or has impacted your work?

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of human oversight. AI can be a very powerful tool, but it is not risk-free. The programme reinforced that good outcomes depend on strong governance, data quality, clear accountability and people asking the right questions. That really resonated with me because it aligns closely with the way I already think about risk and compliance.

Have you had a chance to apply any learnings from the programme in your day-to-day work?

Yes, definitely. The programme has helped me engage in AI-related discussions in a more informed and confident way. In my role, I need to think about how emerging technologies can impact data protection, governance and regulatory risk, so having a stronger understanding of AI is really important. It has also improved the kinds of questions I ask when reviewing new initiatives involving AI.

What would your advice be to a financial services professional considering strengthening their skills in AI?

My advice would be to go for it, start now and stay curious. You don’t need to work in a technical role to benefit from understanding AI. Whether you work in operations, risk, compliance, customer experience or leadership, AI is becoming increasingly relevant.

It helps to choose a programme that makes the subject practical and relatable to financial services. For me, that was one of the biggest benefits of this programme. It made a fast-moving topic feel accessible and relevant. Developing your knowledge in this area can really help you feel more confident and prepared for the future.

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