Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

The mainstreaming of AI is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications.

People are searching for meaningful ways to mitigate the climate crisis, with a growing number recognising how they can use their financial power to drive pro-environmental action. Sugi shows users how much carbon their investments generate and teaches them how to offset these emissions.

Young people want to save and budget in a way that isn’t boring. Cleo provides a smart AI bot that delivers financial services in a fresh and disruptive way. With $44 million in funding, Cleo is one of the fastest-growing fintech brands catering to a younger audience: Gen Zers.

Brazilian Gen Zers are looking for information about money and finances online. But increased access does not equal increased financial literacy, as the same cohort experiences insecurity around how to invest, calling for more accessible products and avenues to disseminate information.

Gen Zers are taking to social media to learn about finance – covering a full suite of topics from budgeting hacks to how to identify the next meme stock. The problem is, it’s hard to discern in the world of finance edutainment which influencers can be trusted, and who should be avoided.