Conference on Digital Transformation of Financial Markets 2026
Theme: Agentic AI and Human Collaboration
Join us at the Conference on Digital Transformation of Financial Markets, a signature biennial event organized by the Accounting Research Centre (SOAR) of the SMU School of Accountancy. Bringing together industry experts, regulators, and leading academics, the Conference offers sharp, forward-looking insights into the complex and pressing forces reshaping today's financial markets.
The 2026 edition takes on the theme "Agentic AI and Human Collaboration in Financial Markets," exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming core functions such as audit and assurance, risk management, and consulting—and examining the emerging applications of agentic AI working together with human expertise. Be part of the conversation defining the future of accounting and finance.
Conference on Digital Transformation of Financial Markets: Agentic AI and Human Collaboration
Monday 26 October 2026
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Level 2, School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University [Map]
Programme
Monday 26 October 2026
2:00 TO 5:00 PM
Conference Venue:
Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Level 2, School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
1.30 PM | Registration |
2:00 - 2:05 PM | Opening RemarksProfessor Alan Chan |
2:05 - 2:25 PM | Keynote SpeechMr Piyush Gupta An Overview of Banking Industry's Adoption of Agentic AI |
2:25 - 2.45 PM | Guest SpeakerMr Kenneth Gay MindForge and AI Risk Management |
2:45 - 3.00 PM | Launch of New Applied Artificial Intelligence Track in the Master of Science in Accounting programme |
3.00 - 3.20 PM | Short break and Tea reception |
3:20 - 3:40 PM | Industry-Oriented Research Presentation by SMU FacultyDr CHEN Xia, Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Accounting
Dr Dan LI, Assistant Professor of Accounting |
3:40 - 4:30 PM | Fireside Chat: Opportunities and Application Cases of Agentic AI and Human CollaborationWhile AI can help improve productivity and creativity, it poses many challenges to business and society, including data security issues, fake information, data-driven discrimination, and ethical issues (e.g., AI lending). The adoption of common AI models also leads to herding and systemic financial risks. In this panel, we share our experiences and observations on these issues and potential solutions (e.g., “AI constitutions”, cultivating AI savvy talents, etc.). Moderator: Panel Speakers: Dr Ramine Tinati Mr Chris Lewin |
4:30 - 4:35 PM | Closing RemarksProfessor Zhang Liandong |
4:35 - 5:00 PM | Tea Reception (continues) |
Speakers and Panelists
Professor Alan CHAN
Provost, Singapore Management University
Speaker - Opening Remarks
Professor Alan K.L. Chan is Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Chair Professor of Inter-Religious Studies and Harmony, and Provost at Singapore Management University (SMU). Prior to joining SMU, Professor Chan was Provost and J.S. Lee Professor of Chinese Culture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Mr Piyush GUPTA
Chairman of Board of Trustees, Singapore Management University
Keynote Speaker
Mr Piyush Gupta was Chief Executive Officer and Director of DBS Group from 2009 to 2025. Under his leadership, DBS underwent a significant and successful transformation, being named Best Bank and Best Digital Bank in the world on several occasions, as well as one of the top ten transformative organizations of the 2010 - 2020 decade by Harvard Business Review.
Mr Kenneth GAY
Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Guest Speaker
Mr Kenneth Gay heads the FinTech and Innovation Group at the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Group is responsible for development strategies for technology and innovation, to strengthen competitiveness, manage risks and enhance the efficiency of the financial sector.
Mr LEE Zhu Kuang
Managing Director, Group Head of Innovation Group, United Overseas Bank Limited
Fireside Chat Panelist
Mr Lee Zhu Kuang is a seasoned innovation leader with over two decades of experience in top international banks, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, Royal Bank of Scotland, JP Morgan, and Deutsche Bank. He recently joined UOB as Group Head of Innovation, following his role as Chief Digital, Data & Innovation Officer at HSBC. He is responsible for defining and driving the innovation strategy, and delivery of digital and data transformation.
Dr Ramine TINATI
Director, Google DeepMind
Fireside Chat Panelist
Dr Ramine Tanati is an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science leader known for bridging the gap between academic research and large-scale enterprise solutions. Based in Singapore, he currently serves as the Director for Google DeepMind AI Impact Accelerator, and was previously a Managing Director in Accenture where he led the APAC Center for Advanced AI, and the EDB-sponsored AI Research Hub.
Mr Chris LEWIN
Executive Director, AI & Data Asia Pacific Leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Fireside Chat Panelist
Mr Chris Lewin Chris leads Deloitte’s AI & Data capability in Asia Pacific. With over 15 years of experience as a Deloitte practitioner, he specialises in delivering AI, data, analytics, and automation solutions to clients across a wide range of industries, such as banking, insurance, telecommunications, and energy & resources.
Ms Irene LIU
Managing Director, Risk & Compliance Leader for Southeast Asia, Accenture
Fireside Chat Moderator
Ms Irene Liu is a seasoned banker and an experienced consultant with more than 20 years of experience, in Finance, Risk and Compliance. She has led multi-million dollar engagements on both global banks and regional banks from strategy through to execution for projects in BCBS 239, LIBOR, data governance and quality, IFRS 17 and finance transformation.
Professor CHEN XIA
Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting, Singapore Management University
Research Presenter
Professor Chen Xia's primary research interests lie in financial accounting, corporate information disclosure, and family businesses. An expert in accounting research, Professor Chen has published numerous papers in top-tier international journals; her work is widely cited and highly influential. She has received multiple awards for her research achievements and frequently presents her work at international conferences.
Assistant Professor Dan LI
Singapore Management University
Research Presenter
Dr Dan Li joined Singapore Management University as an Assistant Professor of Accounting in 2025. He holds a PhD in Accounting from the Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). His research focuses on financial capital markets, with an emphasis on human capital issues
.
Professor ZHANG Liandong
Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting
Dean, School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University
Speaker - Closing Remarks
Professor ZHANG Liandong is the Dean of the School of Accountancy at Singapore Management University and the Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting. Since joining SMU in 2017, he has held key leadership roles in the School’s strategic development, serving as Associate Dean (Research) from 2017 to 2023 and as Deputy Dean from 2023 to 2025. He was appointed Dean on 1 July 2025 following an international search.
Registration
Conference on Digital Transformation of Financial Markets: Agentic AI and Human Collaboration
| Date: | Monday, 26 October 2026 |
| Time: | 2:00 to 5:00 PM |
| Venue: | Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Level 2, School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University [Map] |
Registration is free | Closing Date: Mon 19 October 2026, 11:59 PM SGT (or when all seats are filled)
For any enquires, kindly email to: soaevents@smu.edu.sg
Getting Here
Conference Venue:
Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium,
Level 2,
School of Accountancy,
Singapore Management University [Map]
Nearest Carpark:
Lee Kong Chian School of Business, 50 Stamford Road, S178899
- Carpark access via Queen Street
- Circle ramp down to Basement 2, proceed to park near the MAROON pillars section.
- Doors to lift are labelled “School of Accountancy”
- Take the lift to Level 1 and approach the Security Post to enter the school building.
Public Transportation:
Visit here for public transportation options to SMU.