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“Artificial intelligence” (AI) generally refers to the "intelligence of machines," or the science of computers performing tasks that have been traditionally performed by humans based on human intelligence. AI is generally used as an umbrella term to encompass various types of specific technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs) and other generative AI (GenAI) tools.
AI technology has rapidly evolved, including the development and availability of GenAI technology capable of generating significantly better text, synthetic data, images or other media in response to prompts. LLMs are a type of GenAI that use deep learning techniques and large data sets of language to identify, summarize, predict and generate new text-based content.
FINRA’s rules—which are intended to be technology neutral—and the securities laws more generally, continue to apply when member firms use GenAI or similar technologies in the course of their businesses, just as they apply when member firms use any other technology or tool. Those rules apply whether member firms are directly developing GenAI tools for their proprietary use or when leveraging the technology of a third party, including through embedded features in existing third-party products.
As part of our FINRA Forward initiative, FINRA is also building expertise, infrastructure and capabilities in GenAI to advance our mission and perform our self-regulatory functions more effectively and efficiently. FINRA has and will continue to actively engage with member firms to understand and support their use of GenAI, including through regular Risk Monitoring outreach, discussions with our advisory committees, industry roundtables, and dedicated conference sessions and events. In turn, we share with firms what we have learned through our oversight activities and our own experiences.
Contact OGC
FINRA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) staff provides broker-dealers, attorneys, registered representatives, investors and other interested parties with interpretative guidance relating to FINRA’s rules. Please see Interpreting FINRA Rules for more information.
OGC staff contacts:
Phil Shaikun
Renee Barnett
1700 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 728-8000
Important Note
This webpage is for informational purposes only. It does not create any new legal requirements or suggest any change in any existing regulatory obligations, nor does it provide relief from any regulatory obligations. FINRA encourages firms to conduct a comprehensive review of all applicable securities laws, rules, and regulations, as necessary, when considering adoption of new technologies.
- FINRA Reminds Members of its Policy Prohibiting Members From Recording FINRA Calls and Meetings07/30/2024
- FINRA Reminds Members of Regulatory Obligations When Using Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models06/27/2024
- FINRA Reminds Firms of their Supervisory Obligations Related to Outsourcing to Third-Party Vendors08/13/2021
- Guidance
Understanding Generative AI and Prompt Injection Fundamentals
Resource providing foundational information on GenAI, firm-size considerations related to prompt injection, and definitions of key terms
March 6, 2026 - FINRA Blog
Emerging Trend in GenAI: Observations on AI Agents
This resource provides foundational information on GenAI, firm-size considerations related to prompt injection, and definitions of key terms.
January 27, 2026 - Resource
Types of AI Agents
Resource listing some of the types of AI agents
January 27, 2026 - Guidance
GenAI
The GenAI topic of the 2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report informs member firms’ compliance programs by providing annual insights from FINRA’s ongoing regulatory operations, including (1) regulatory obligations, (2) emerging trends and current practices, and (3) additional resources.
December 9, 2025 - FINRA Blog
Advancing FINRA’s Mission with AI
FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook shares how FINRA has begun using GenAI to support its regulatory program, as well as how it has been engaging with member firms regarding their use of GenAI
October 28, 2025 - Resource
How FINRA Member Firms Use GenAI
Resource listing some of the most common GenAI use cases FINRA has observed among its member firms
July 14, 2025 - Podcast
Unpacking the 2025 FINRA Regulatory Oversight Report
FINRA executives dive into the 2025 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report’s takeaways and insights for member firms, including a segment on artificial intelligence
January 28, 2025 - Report
The 2025 Regulatory Oversight Report
Artificial intelligence is discussed throughout the report, including an Artificial Intelligence: Continuing and Emerging Trends “callout” box in the Third-Party Risk Landscape section, an Emerging Risk: Adversarial Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence “callout” box in the Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud and Sanctions section, and in the Communications with the Public section (specifically guidance concerning communications that are created by, or promote a firm’s use of, AI)
January 28, 2025 - FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Advertising Regulation
FAQ regarding FINRA Rule 2210, including questions on supervising chat bot communications and AI-created communications
May 10, 2024 - Research Study
The Machines are coming (with personal finance information). Do we trust them?
2024 FINRA Foundation Study that examines consumers' perceptions about financial information when they are told it is generated from AI versus a financial professional
May 2024 - Podcast
FINRA Podcast: An Evolving Landscape: Generative AI and Large Language Models in the Financial Industry
FINRA staff discuss how FINRA is looking at and thinking about generative AI when it comes to its own business and what it's looking at and seeing regarding firms’ use of these tools
March 5, 2024 - FINRA Blog
Artificial Intelligence: A New, Old Trend Transforming Financial Services
FINRA’s Vice President and Head of Financial Innovation Haimera Workie shares key takeaways from its Report: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Securities Industry
June 10, 2020 - Report
FINRA Report – Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Securities Industry
Report summarizing key findings from FINRA’s review of AI in the securities industry, including a definition of AI and its scope as it pertains to the securities industry; an overview of broker-dealers’ use of AI applications related to communications with customers, investment processes and operational functions; and key factors including potential regulatory considerations, securities market participants may want to consider as they develop and adopt AI-based tools
June 10, 2020 - Conference
2020 FINRA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Virtual Conference
A half day event designed to bring together regulators and industry leaders within the financial industry to discuss the use of AI and related opportunities and challenges
November 9-10, 2020 - Report
FINRA Report – Technology Based Innovations for Regulatory Compliance (“RegTech”) in the Securities Industry
Report summarizing key findings from focused review to learn more about the emergence and adoption of innovative regulatory technology related tools to assist firms in meeting their compliance obligations.
September 2018 - Key Topics Page
FinTech Key Topics Page
Summary of Fintech areas monitored by FINRA’s Office of Financial Innovation (OFI) impacting the securities industry
- Investor InsightsInvestment fraud involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. Increasingly, fraudsters are using generative AI (GenAI) tools to gain access to financial accounts and create new accounts in the names of unsuspecting investors. Learn steps you can take to help protect yourself.
- Investor InsightsThe SEC, NASAA and FINRA are jointly issuing this Investor Alert to make investors aware of the increase of investment frauds involving the purported use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Bad actors are using the growing popularity and complexity of AI to lure victims into scams. Here are a few things to look out for to help you keep your money safe from these frauds.