Problem
International transfers are confusing with hidden fees, complex rate structures, and information asymmetry. Users lack tools to compare hundreds of remittance services and don't understand optimal timing or method selection.
Solution
Conversational AI bot that analyzes real-time data from SWIFT, Visa B2B Connect, SEPA, ACH, and 200+ remittance services to recommend the best transfer method. Focuses on education and transparency rather than processing transactions.
My Role
Product Designer & Business Strategy
Tech Stack
- OpenAI GPT-4
- Python
- FastAPI
- Financial APIs
Overview
Polaris AI is a FinTech concept developed for academic pitch competition, exploring how AI could simplify international money transfers through intelligent recommendations and financial literacy education. Rather than processing transactions, the bot acts as an informed advisor analyzing costs, speed, and security across all available options.
Key insight: positioning as educational tool eliminates regulatory complexity of becoming money transmitter while providing genuine value through comparison and teaching.
Core Concept Design
Recommendation Engine
- Real-time data integration from major payment networks
- Cost optimization comparing fees and exchange rates across services
- Speed analysis predicting delivery times by corridor and method
- Personalized suggestions based on user preferences and history
Educational Features
- Financial literacy modules on currency mechanics and exchange rates
- Step-by-step transfer guidance for recommended platforms
- Risk education on currency volatility and timing strategies
- Best practices for optimizing international payments
Smart Features
- Currency alerts when rates reach favorable levels
- Predictive modeling for optimal transfer timing
- Multi-language support (25+ languages)
- Compliance checking and AML screening guidance
Product Strategy
Target Market
- Primary: Migrant workers sending remittances ($1T+ global market)
- Secondary: SMEs managing cross-border payments
- Geographic focus: High-remittance corridors (US-Mexico, UK-India, etc.)
Business Model
- Freemium subscription ($0, $9.99, $19.99/month tiers)
- Revenue from affiliate partnerships with recommended services
- Enterprise API licensing for financial institutions
- Premium educational content and consulting
Competitive Positioning
Unlike Wise, PayPal, or Revolut which process transactions, Polaris focuses solely on recommendations—eliminating regulatory burden while providing unbiased comparison across all providers including competitors.
Technical Architecture Designed
AI & NLP Stack
- GPT-4 for natural conversation in 25+ languages
- Intent recognition and entity extraction
- Sentiment analysis for user frustration detection
- Context preservation across multi-turn conversations
Backend Infrastructure
- Microservices architecture for scalability
- Real-time API integrations with payment networks
- Compliance engine for AML/KYC checking
- Exchange rate aggregation from multiple sources
User Experience
- Chat-first conversational interface
- Progressive web app for cross-platform access
- Personalized dashboard with transfer history
- Mobile-first responsive design
My Contributions
- Designed complete product concept and user experience
- Developed business model and monetization strategy
- Created technical architecture for multi-channel platform
- Researched competitive landscape and regulatory requirements
- Pitched concept to class demonstrating market opportunity
Market Research Conducted
- Analyzed $1T+ global remittance market
- Identified key corridors (Americas 35%, Europe 30%, Asia 20%, Africa 15%)
- Evaluated competitors (Wise, PayPal, Revolut, Remitly, WorldRemit)
- Assessed regulatory landscape across jurisdictions
Lessons Learned
Product Strategy: Positioning as recommendation tool rather than transaction processor reduces regulatory complexity while maintaining value proposition
Market Opportunity: Education-first approach differentiates from transaction-focused competitors
Technical Feasibility: Multi-language NLP and real-time data aggregation are key technical challenges requiring specialized infrastructure
Project Documentation
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Polaris AI Pitch Presentation
4.1 MB • FinTech concept
Complete academic pitch presentation covering product concept, business strategy, technical architecture, and market analysis