Shaping asset finance: NETSOL’s Dario Morelli’s AI vision

In a recent interview with Asset Finance Connect, Morelli shared his vision for NETSOL’s Transcend AI Labs and how he plans to reshape the industry from the inside out.

At the helm of NETSOL’s AI innovation hub, Morelli is setting out to move beyond the traditional software-centric approach that has long defined asset finance, replacing it with a strategy that is data-first, AI-native, and laser-focused on customer impact. Yet, where customer and business need demands, strategy must still be shaped by human judgement.

A new era for asset finance

Historically, asset finance has relied heavily on static, rule-based systems for managing origination, contracts, and servicing. But as Morelli explains, “AI thrives where there is data, and asset finance is full of it.” From telematics and IoT data to structured contracts and customer interactions, the raw material is already there. The challenge – and opportunity – is in harnessing it to deliver smarter workflows and more personalised offerings whilst working in synergy with humans-in-the-loop.

NETSOL’s response is a bold “AI-first” strategy that integrates intelligent capabilities across their existing platforms like Transcend Finance, while also building modular, API-first AI tools that can plug into customers’ infrastructures seamlessly. The value promise is simple but powerful: “Every AI solution must drive top-line revenue, cut costs, boost efficiency, or mitigate risk,” says Morelli. “Ideally, it should do more than one.”

Transforming from within

The transformation isn’t limited to clients. Morelli is equally committed to internal AI adoption. NETSOL’s engineering teams already leverage a mix of technologies ranging from traditional machine learning to LLMs and AI Agents, with a preference for open source frameworks, but the ambition goes further. By measuring tangible metrics such as lead time for feature delivery and bug rates per release, Morelli aims to lead by example, using AI to enhance NETSOL’s own operations.

“We’re applying AI to every part of the value chain,” he explains, “from sales conversion and lead qualification to customer support. But we can’t expect our clients to evolve if we don’t evolve ourselves.”

Responsible AI as a foundation

Operating in a highly regulated space, NETSOL’s AI strategy places compliance and trust at its core. “Responsible AI isn’t a side concern – it’s non-negotiable,” says Morelli. Given NETSOL’s global footprint, understanding and embedding market-specific regulatory requirements into every product is crucial. “We’re actively investing in regulatory expertise within the team to ensure we don’t just talk about responsible AI, we implement it.”

Tackling the transformation challenge

Despite the hype around AI, adoption in asset finance has lagged. The main culprits are legacy systems and cultural inertia. Many firms are still dependent on monolithic architectures that don’t play well with modern data-driven tools. Morelli believes the answer lies in making these systems modular via APIs, allowing data to flow into AI platforms where it can be leveraged effectively.

But the bigger obstacle is human. “AI isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a transformation challenge,” he says. “It affects how people work. We need to educate and support teams so they see AI not as a threat, but as a tool that enhances their capabilities.” This is where the concept of “human-in-the-loop” comes in, ensuring decisions remain in human hands while AI handles the heavy lifting of analysis and automation.

Use cases that matter

One transformative use case Morelli points to is using AI to process and synthesise information from multiple rich data sources to generate insights and recommendations. For instance, assessing leasing risk based on not just credit scores, but behavioural patterns, usage data, and historical trends.

“We need to let AI take over the high-volume, low-empathy tasks,” he says. “That frees up humans to do what they do best – have meaningful, empathetic conversations where needed.”

Cross-industry inspiration

Drawing on his background in fintech, insurance, and music tech, Morelli brings a customer-centric lens to asset finance. At Admiral Group, he used AI to deeply personalise products based on behavioural and risk data. At True Layer, he saw the power of API-led ecosystems. These experiences have reinforced three key lessons: build around the customer, design for scalability and reliability, and above all, attract and retain world-class talent.

“You need exceptional people to build exceptional systems,” Morelli says. “And to keep them, you need clear expectations, development plans, and meaningful career growth.”

A culture of alignment and impact

At NETSOL Technologies, Morelli is cultivating a culture of clarity, alignment, and purpose. Before any AI is introduced, every project must first align with business objectives. He’s even hosting a two-day internal workshop where “AI” won’t be mentioned until NETSOL’s business strategy, goals and KPIs are crystal clear. “It’s easy to chase trends,” he warns. “But unless AI initiatives are directly tied to strategy and outcomes, they risk becoming disconnected tech experiments.”

A roadmap for success

So, what does success look like in Morelli’s first year? Simply put it is measurable impact. “Whether it’s improving customer onboarding time or reducing internal inefficiencies, we need to put numbers to every initiative. Good AI product management is about defining, measuring, and communicating value.”

Staying ahead of the curve also requires discernment. “No one can keep up with every AI release,” Morelli admits. “The trick is knowing what matters and what doesn’t, and only acting when it moves the needle.”

Looking five years ahead

Fast-forward five years, and Morelli envisions an asset finance industry transformed – not by empty promises, but by tangible results. “For our customers, AI should have delivered real, measurable value. For NETSOL, AI should be woven into the fabric of how we work across all functions. If we can achieve that, we’ll have lived up to our ambition.”

In Dario Morelli, NETSOL Technologies has a leader who understands both the potential and the pitfalls of AI. With a grounded vision and a relentless focus on business value, he’s not just riding the AI wave – he’s helping shape where it goes next.

Catch up with Dario Morelli at the forthcoming AFC webcast – When, how and why should auto and equipment finance lenders deploy AI? Sponsored by NETSOL Technologies, this auto & equipment finance webcast is a tech and strategy focused session for lenders who are considering use cases, going from proof-of-concepts to production and are keen to hear about practitioners’ successes and failures in deploying AI to ease their industry pain-points.

Register now at https://assetfinanceconnect.com/when-how-and-why-should-auto-and-equipment-finance-lenders-deploy-ai/