Thus far, the month of January has been an exciting time for AI — new smart technologies have demoed, new papers have been written, and new discussions about how to make sure our new synthetic friends don’t kill us have sprung up.

According to Crunchbase’s annual Global Innovation Investment report, venture capital funding for artificial intelligence projects is primed for a boom this coming year, especially when it comes to smart devices, all of those lovely little toys that will make up the Internet of Things, aimed at making consumers’ lives just that much easier.

From the report:

Enterprises are swimming in data – far more than mere humans can analyze. That’s creating more demand for intelligent machines that can process the mind-boggling volume and complexity of big data, and venture investors are increasingly backing companies developing solutions that employ artificial intelligence and machine learning.

To create AI that’s actually helpful in fintech, means making sure professionals are designing with an eye to emerging consumer needs, and are getting past some ingrown biases about the technology.

“The biggest misconception [enterprises have] when it comes to AI is that it’s going to still their jobs, when in reality artificial intelligence is a strategic tool which businesses cannot afford not to use,” says Clara Durodié founder and managing partner for the Cognitive Finance Group.

It’s understandable for professionals to have this assumption nowadays when organizations like the EU are debating whether to class AIs as “electronic persons,” but it’s not exactly a helpful one when it comes to utilizing the technology for its original purpose—assisting humanity.

According to Durodié, AI could be used for a variety of purposes within an enterprise, and while lowering costs, or wading through a growing swamp of regulation are potential use cases, so is customer service.

“When you’re able to deliver tailored, meaningful, and relevant products, that’s called excellent customer care,” says Durodié. “When you’re able to do that you’re bringing in a level of trust, and trust is the birthplace of all industry.”

In other words, the artificial intelligence projects —or electronic persons, that’s kind of catchy—funded in 2017 have to be carefully chosen by investors, and carefully approached by businesses, to ensure the technology has the maximum impact.

Brushing up on our Asimov (and, you know, maybe Wells, just saying) may not be the worst idea either.

To learn more about artificial intelligence, join us at Bank Innovation 2017 in San Jose. Please request your invitation here.