WeLab, a leading pan-Asian fintech platform, has entered a strategic partnership with Google to accelerate AI adoption and reshape digital banking innovation in Asia. Announced on 26 September in Hong Kong, the collaboration aims to help WeLab reach its goal of providing AI-powered financial services to 500 million users by 2032.
The partnership will see WeLab integrate Google’s advanced AI models and tools across its operations, from product design and marketing to core banking processes. By doing so, WeLab aims to increase efficiency, speed up product development, and enhance customer engagement, strengthening its competitive position across the region.
WeLab will also expand its use of Google Cloud’s infrastructure and AI capabilities to scale its offerings securely and in compliance with local regulations. The company has already implemented Google Cloud in Indonesia, which serves as a blueprint for further regional expansion.
“Our AI vision at WeLab is to enhance the adoption and diffusion of AI technology to amplify human potential,” said Simon Loong, Founder and Group CEO of WeLab. “Our early efforts have already shown tangible benefits, and we estimate to deliver an impressive 42.4% efficiency gain for WeLab in the next five years. By partnering with Google, we can leverage its advanced AI and agentic capabilities to further accelerate adoption, explore new use cases, and deploy tools faster across our business.”
Building AI agents for faster insights and better customer experiences
A key part of the partnership is the development of AI agents to improve internal efficiency and customer-facing services. WeLab will use Google’s Gemini models on Vertex AI and its Agent Development Kit to build tools such as an AI Investment Research Agent. This system will allow employees to access real-time investment insights by combining external data with WeLab’s proprietary resources.
For customers, WeLab plans to introduce AI-driven personal financial assistants that can deliver tailored advice and recommendations on investments, lending, and wealth management. This move is expected to make high-quality financial insights more widely accessible, bridging the gap between retail users and professional-grade research.
Using AI to modernise marketing and upskill teams
AI is also transforming WeLab’s marketing approach. Its subsidiary WeLend recently produced its first fully AI-generated television commercial using Google’s Gemini and Veo models. AI tools are further enhancing ad relevance by adapting to real-time user queries and identifying new audience segments, allowing campaigns to be more precise and cost-effective.
Beyond product and marketing innovation, the partnership will focus on creating an AI-first workplace culture. WeLab employees will gain access to AI engineering support and leadership programmes, including workshops and hackathons, to strengthen technical expertise in areas such as data, security, and AI deployment.
“AI is creating immense opportunities for Hong Kong’s world-class fintech industry. We’re proud to support innovators like WeLab to leverage our full AI stack as they transform their business,” said Michael Yue, Managing Director and General Manager, Google Hong Kong.
WeLab’s AI-first strategy highlights how fintech firms in Asia are turning to advanced AI technologies to improve operations and deliver highly personalised financial services at scale. The collaboration with Google positions WeLab to expand more rapidly and responsibly while setting new benchmarks for digital banking innovation in the region.
