StanChart CEO Apologizes for AI Comments Causing Staff Upset

By EC Assets · Published 22 May 2026 · Updated 22 May 2026

Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters has apologized for remarks he made regarding artificial intelligence. The comments concerned AI's potential impact on staff. Winters' statements reportedly caused upset among some colleagues. The CEO apologized for attributing the term "lower-value human capital" to certain employees. Winters' remarks suggested AI would eliminate "lower-value human capital." His comments had drawn an outcry. Halimah Yacob called the description of workers as "lower-value human capital" disturbing. The apology follows earlier comments from Winters regarding AI and job elimination. Winters had discussed announced plans for StanChart to eliminate jobs over four years. This article is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice.