Evolution of the Modern CFO

The economic landscape is shifting as governments navigate the challenges of rising public debt, evolving interest rate trends, and persistent inflationary pressures. This keynote will explore the future trajectory of real interest rates in the U.S., assessing whether we are entering a new era of structurally higher rates or if previous trends will persist. Additionally, we will examine the long-term path of inflation, questioning whether maintaining low and stable inflation will become increasingly difficult in the coming decade.

A key focus will be the intersection of fiscal policy and inflation control. With high public debt and persistent deficits, can central banks effectively stabilize prices while adhering to inflation-targeting frameworks? By analyzing economic fundamentals and policy implications, this session will provide valuable insights into the forces shaping our financial future.

You will learn:

• How real interest rate trends may evolve in the U.S.
• The factors influencing the long-term trajectory of inflation.
• The challenges of maintaining low and stable inflation in the coming decade.
• The role of fiscal policy in inflation determination.
• Whether central banks can effectively manage inflation in a high-debt environment

Samim Ghamami

Economist

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Abstract coming soon! 

AI is transforming finance, enabling CFOs to make faster, smarter decisions. With AI-driven analytics, finance teams can process data in real-time, uncover trends, and generate predictive insights. Beyond efficiency, AI is reshaping financial strategy, risk management, and operational agility in an increasingly complex market.

This panel will explore how AI enhances financial planning, improves risk assessment, and drives automation. Experts will share real-world use cases, showing how AI adoption translates into measurable business value. Key challenges like data governance, security, and workforce adaptation will also be addressed.

As AI adoption accelerates, finance leaders must integrate AI strategically. This discussion will provide actionable insights on where to start, how to scale AI initiatives, and how to ensure AI complements human expertise.

You will learn:

• How AI-driven forecasting and analytics improve financial decision-making
• Practical applications of AI in finance, from automation to risk management
• Key challenges and considerations for AI adoption
• Strategies for integrating AI into finance without disrupting operations

Moderator:

Ivan Bakrac

Head of Treasury | Adjuct Professor

ConsenSys | Columbia University

Panelists:

Sumedha Rai

Artificial Intelligence, NLP

Acorns

Larisa Mueller

CFO | Adjunct Professor

ACLU | Fordham Gabelli School Of Business

Terrence Muthoka, Ph.D

Senior Data Scientist

Citi

Abstract coming soon! 

Generative AI is transforming financial services by enhancing automation, decision-making, and customer interactions. However, its adoption also introduces critical challenges such as bias, data privacy risks, model robustness issues, explainability concerns, and cybersecurity threats.

This session will explore how financial institutions can implement responsible AI practices, ensuring that generative models remain fair, transparent, and compliant with industry regulations. Attendees will gain insights into risk mitigation strategies and how to align AI applications with ethical and governance frameworks.

Key takeaways:

• Risk factors in generative AI, including bias, security, and model robustness
• Best practices for governance and compliance in AI-powered finance
• Strategies for ensuring fairness, explainability, and trust in AI models

Praneeth Reddy Amudala puchakayala

Data Scientist, AI & ML Researcher

Financial Institution