Eylem Şencan
ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the global banking sector, yet its role in advancing sustainability remains underexplored in emerging markets. This study examines how AI adoption interacts with organizational learning to shape sustainable banking practices in Turkey, a dynamic financial hub bridging Europe and Asia. Drawing on qualitative data from 12 professionals across public and private banks, the analysis identifies six themes: operational automation, credit risk management, customer engagement, system integration challenges, ethical and regulatory concerns, and human–AI collaboration. Findings demonstrate that AI can reduce operational burdens, improve risk assessment, and support inclusive services, but its effectiveness depends critically on organizational learning capacity. By situating the Turkish case within global debates on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, the study highlights how emerging markets can leverage AI to align innovation with sustainability. The research offers theoretical and managerial insights relevant to international business leaders seeking to integrate digital transformation with sustainable finance agendas worldwide.