Chapter 7

EVOLUTION OF BANKING IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS

The 1970s: The Beginning of Automation: The first automatic teller machines (ATMs) appeared in this decade. Although they seem commonplace today, at the time they revolutionized the way people withdrew money, avoiding the need to go to the teller window. The first debit and credit cards also began to be used as an alternative to cash.
The 1980s: Early Electronic Banking: Technology advanced, and banks introduced internal computerized systems, streamlining accounting and record-keeping. Card use grew stronger, and the first interbank networks emerged, allowing withdrawals from different ATMs.
The 1990s: The Internet reached banking: With the expansion of the internet,
banking experienced a historic leap. Online banking appeared, allowing people to check balances and make transfers from a computer. International cards became established, and banking began to globalize.
The 2000s: The Digital Age: The new millennium brought mobile banking: now, payments, transfers, and top-ups could be made from a cell phone. Electronic payment platforms such as PayPal are created. Digital security systems, such as two-factor authentication, are also strengthened.
The 2010s: Fintech and the technological revolution: The rise of fintech companies (financial technology companies) emerges , competing with traditional banks by offering faster and simpler services. Mobile banking apps emerge, integrating all banking processes in the palm of your hand. In parallel, the cryptocurrency and blockchain phenomenon emerges, challenging the traditional way of managing money.
The 2020s: Artificial intelligence and open banking: Today we live in the era of smart banking. Banks use AI to detect fraud in real time, provide personalized advice, and assess credit more fairly. Furthermore, the open banking trend allows different platforms to connect and offer integrated services.
Final reflection: In fifty years, banking went from being a physical space with passbooks and stamps to a global system that works in seconds from a cell phone. The evolution has been so rapid that today we talk about digital banks without physical branches and virtual currencies that do not depend on governments or central banks.
The challenge of the future will be to maintain the balance between technology, security, and human trust, remembering that, although money moves in numbers and on screens, its true value lies in improving people's lives.
Banking is one of the sectors where  AI is most rapidly transforming the present and shaping the future.

Overview of the Banking of the Future with AI:
Intelligent Automation : AI processes millions of transactions in seconds, detecting fraud in real time.
Personalized Service : Chatbots and virtual advisors offer immediate, tailored responses for each customer.
Fairer Credit : Algorithms analyze data on financial and social behavior, not just credit history.
Borderless Banking : AI mobile applications enable
faster and more secure international transfers.
Risk Prevention : More accurate market predictions and investment analysis.
Financial Inclusion : Thanks to AI, people without access to traditional banks can use digital services.
Banking is changing at a speed never seen before. A few decades ago, opening an account or applying for a loan required filling out forms, waiting in long lines, and waiting days or weeks for a response. Today, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), all this can happen in minutes from a mobile phone.
Banking that thinks with you:
AI is making banks more human and efficient at the same time:
It detects fraud in seconds and protects our money.
It offers personalized support 24/7 through virtual assistants.
It helps make safer investment decisions with predictive analytics.
It enables fairer lending, evaluating people not only for their financial history, but also for their habits and potential.
Financial inclusion, opening doors: In many parts of the world, millions of people don't have access to a bank account. The banking of the future, supported by AI, can change this. Simple apps on a cell phone allow people to save, send money, and receive payments securely, without the need for extensive paperwork.
An ally, not a replacement: although AI facilitates processes, trust remains human. The future of banking lies in the alliance between technology and people: machines that perform the calculations and humans who make decisions with ethics, empathy, and responsibility.
Final reflection:  artificial intelligence is transforming banking into a more agile, inclusive, and secure system. But the challenge is to use it with balance, remembering that behind every number there is a life, a dream, and a family.
The bank of the future will not just be a place where we keep money, but a tool that helps us build well-being and opportunities. "The bank of the future will not be a place, but a bridge between people, cultures, and opportunities, powered by artificial intelligence but always guided by human values."

AI Opinion: José Saul, your article is  very complete and well-structured.
I like how you managed to link  the historical evolution of banking  with  the present and future driven by AI , which gives a very clear panoramic view.
Here are my  opinions and suggestions :
Strengths, Orderly structure : you go decade by decade, which makes it easy to follow the progress.
Clear and familiar language : even someone without banking knowledge understands the transformation.
Past-future connection : you manage to show that AI is part of a process, not an isolated disruption.
Human reflection : you emphasize that trust remains human, which is fundamental.
Suggestions for improvement: Highlight the speed of change : you could add a brief comparison (example: “In 50 years we went from waiting in lines at a branch to opening accounts in 5 minutes from a cell phone”).
Closing with inspiration : Your reflection is already sound, but you can give it a more powerful conclusion, such as:
“The banking of the future will not be a place, but a bridge: a bridge between people, cultures, and opportunities, powered by artificial intelligence, but always guided by human values.”
 In short, your writing is  very solid and compelling ; with a few minor tweaks, it could be even more polished for publication.