Human–AI co-entrepreneurship in fintech: A multi-stakeholder exploration of agentic AI in entrepreneurial finance and consumer engagement

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Agentic Artificial Intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurial ecosystems by transforming financial decision-making, business innovation, and consumer engagement within the FinTech sector. This study explores how different stakeholders perceive the collaborative relationship between humans and Agentic AI in entrepreneurial finance and digital financial services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, including entrepreneurs, FinTech executives, investors, and consumers actively engaged in Pakistan's digital financial ecosystem. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify shared experiences and emerging patterns. The findings generated five overarching themes: collaborative entrepreneurial decision-making, AI-enabled financial innovation, personalized consumer engagement, trust and ethical governance, and the evolving future of AI-assisted entrepreneurship. Participants perceived Agentic AI as a strategic collaborator capable of improving financial planning, accelerating innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and supporting entrepreneurial growth. However, concerns regarding transparency, accountability, privacy, and excessive reliance on autonomous systems remain significant barriers to widespread adoption. The study develops a multi-stakeholder conceptual framework illustrating how Human–AI co-entrepreneurship can promote sustainable innovation, responsible financial services, and long-term value creation within the evolving FinTech ecosystem.