In this installment of the "Meet the Makers" series, we sit down with Aoife May, Head of Market Strategy for Compliance Program Management (CPM), to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance technology. Aoife shares her insights into how Wolters Kluwer’s groundbreaking platform for regulatory change and obligation management, Compliance Intelligence, is revolutionizing regulatory change management for financial services organizations, empowering compliance teams to navigate an increasingly complex landscape with precision and agility. With a focus on innovation and decision support, Aoife provides a glimpse into the future of compliance operations.
A holistic approach to regulatory change management
2025 marks a pivotal year for Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions as they prepare to launch a groundbreaking regulatory change and obligation management platform. According to Aoife, this new solution takes a holistic approach by integrating state and federal content to help organizations identify, operationalize, and adopt regulatory obligations seamlessly into their business frameworks. By centralizing compliance efforts and enabling firms to manage regulatory changes effectively, the platform is designed to reduce complexity and enhance operational efficiency.
Aoife emphasizes that this innovation is not just about keeping up with regulations but about staying ahead of them. "We’re excited to bring this to market," she says. "It’s about enabling our customers to not only identify obligations but also manage compliance through regulatory change in a way that aligns with their business goals." This forward-thinking approach highlights the platform's ability to transform compliance from a reactive function into a proactive driver of organizational success.
The role of AI in compliance transformation
At the heart of this transformation is AI, which Aoife describes as a game-changer for compliance teams. By combining advanced AI capabilities with deep domain expertise, Compliance Intelligence offers market-leading solutions that go beyond traditional compliance tools. "When you combine these new technologies with our existing products and expertise," Aoife explains, "you get solutions that are truly innovative and impactful."
One key area where AI shines is in impact assessments during regulatory change events. The platform uses AI to help firms quickly assess how changes affect their obligations, enabling faster decision-making and more efficient adoption of new requirements. "AI allows us to identify what has changed, understand its implications, and get our customers where they need to be faster," Aoife notes. By automating non-strategic tasks such as content acquisition and obligation identification, AI frees up compliance professionals to focus on high-value activities like implementing changes and aligning them with organizational policies.
Intelligent decision support for compliance teams
Compliance Intelligence is not just about automation; it’s about enabling smarter decision-making. One standout feature of the platform is its ability to cluster related obligations together, creating a more manageable framework for monitoring and responding to regulatory changes. This clustering capability ensures that when a regulatory change occurs, its impact on specific obligations—and the corresponding policies—can be identified instantly.
Aoife highlights how this feature supports decision-making: "Our solution ties regulatory changes back to the underlying obligation framework so customers can see immediately what needs updating." This level of insight allows compliance teams to act with confidence, ensuring that no critical updates are overlooked. By delivering actionable intelligence in real-time, Compliance Intelligence empowers compliance executives to make informed decisions that align with both regulatory requirements and business objectives.
Preparing for an AI-enabled future
As AI continues to reshape the compliance landscape, Aoife underscores the importance of equipping compliance professionals with the right tools and skills. She envisions a future where AI handles routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on strategic initiatives that add value to their organizations. "It’s an exciting time to work in compliance," she says. "AI enables teams to concentrate on business-specific tasks like adopting obligations into their frameworks rather than spending time on manual processes."
However, technology adoption alone is not enough. Aoife advises firms to prioritize collaboration between compliance teams and other business units while ensuring they trust the technology and content providers they partner with. "You can’t outsource your compliance," she cautions. "It’s crucial to work with trusted partners who provide reliable content and support your compliance function effectively."
Driving competitive advantage through innovation
The launch of Compliance Intelligence represents more than just technological advancement; it’s a strategic shift that positions financial services organizations for long-term success. By integrating AI-driven decision support into their operations, firms can achieve greater agility in responding to regulatory changes while fostering trust and transparency across their organizations.
Aoife’s vision for Compliance Intelligence reflects her commitment to helping customers thrive in an era of rapid change. "Our goal is to enable our customers to remain compliant as regulations evolve," she concludes. "By adopting innovative solutions like ours, they can stay ahead of the curve and turn compliance challenges into opportunities."
Through her leadership in market strategy, Aoife May is helping shape the future of compliance technology—one where AI not only simplifies processes but also drives meaningful insights that empower financial institutions to make smarter decisions with confidence.
