This week, we’re spotlighting Dácil Hernández, whose career in banking transformation is built on a simple philosophy: “Change before you have to.” Dacil focuses on strengthening credit risk analytics capabilities – using data, analytics, and AI to help teams make smarter decisions and prepare for what comes next.
Driven by pure curiosity, her approach balances rapid technical adaptation with a deep focus on solving real problems for people.
Hyperight.com: What’s the best way to describe your job to someone outside tech?
Dácil Hernández: Although we use a lot of technology, my department is actually not part of IT. When people ask me what we do, I usually say that we are the brains behind the credit lifecycle.
We use data and analytics to understand risk, support better decisions and continuously improve how credit is managed.
Hyperight.com: What originally sparked your interest in AI/data, and what keeps you inspired today? 
Dácil Hernández: Curiosity. Definitely curiosity. I’ve always been fascinated by technology and how things work. What keeps me inspired today is how quickly everything is evolving and how much we still have to discover. For me, the interesting question isn’t only “What can AI do?” but “What should we do with it?”
Hyperight.com: What is one challenge you’re trying to solve, and why does it matter?
Dácil Hernández: One of the biggest challenges is how to keep up when technology is changing so rapidly. We want to take advantage of what AI and new technologies can offer, but to do that, we need to make sure the foundations are in place. That means trusted data, clear governance and ownership. Without that foundation, it becomes very difficult to scale, move fast and create real value.
Hyperight.com: A tool you can’t live without (tech or not)?
Dácil Hernández: My whiteboard. I love analogies, boxes and arrows — taking something incredibly complicated and making it understandable. And if I’m allowed a second one, ChatGPT. It has become the colleague I ask the most random questions.
Hyperight.com: What trend in data or AI do you think will shape the Nordic region the most?
Dácil Hernández: The move from experimenting with AI to actually operationalising it. As AI moves from answering questions to taking actions, trusted data, governance and accountability become even more important. I think the Nordics have an opportunity to show that responsible AI doesn’t have to slow innovation down — it can enable it.
Hyperight.com: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others entering the data and AI field?
Dácil Hernández: Stay curious, and don’t fall in love with technology. Learn it, experiment with it and ask questions, but spend just as much time understanding people and the problems you are trying to solve. Technology will keep changing. Your ability to learn and adapt will last much longer.
