Last week, DIFC Academy, in collaboration with the AI Asia Pacific Institute, delivered an interactive session on “AI in Finance” as part of the Finance Expert Series. This in-person session provided finance professionals with practical insights into AI and its applications in financial services.
The event brought together leading voices from government, industry, and academia. Key speakers included Kelly Forbes (President & Executive Director, AIAPI); Lori Baker (VP Legal, DIFC Authority); Emma Johnson (Advisory Board Member, AIAPI); David Berend; Vivienne Artz (Co-Chair, Data Privacy Expert Group, Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime, CEO FTSE Women Leaders Review); and Yaron Hazan (VP Regulatory Affairs in ThetaRay, Advisory Board Member, AIAPI).
The conversation highlighted both the extraordinary opportunities and the urgent challenges. AI is transforming financial systems through enhanced risk management, fraud detection, customer service, and investment strategies. At the same time, issues of fairness, transparency, and governance remain critical. We also discussed how Regulation 10 in the DIFC is serving as an important step toward addressing these challenges, providing a framework to promote responsible AI adoption within financial services.
The session underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing the responsible adoption of AI. Financial systems are inherently interconnected, and so are the risks and rewards of AI adoption. By working across borders and disciplines, we can unlock AI’s potential while ensuring the resilience and integrity of our economies.
We thank DIFC Academy and all participants — especially our panel of experts — for an insightful and forward-looking exchange. Events like this are essential stepping stones in building a responsible AI ecosystem that benefits societies, economies, and individuals alike.
