Sebastian T. Samuel, CIO of AW Rostamani Group, emphasized the need for a pragmatic and progressive approach to AI adoption. “We started experimenting with data science in 2018,” he said. “While early efforts were challenging, such as retaining qualified data scientists, we have made progress leveraging AI to optimize business processes and enable real-time decision-making.
Ramesh Subramanian, Transformational Leader and CFO, shared his views on the impact of AI on reducing customer churn and improving lead generation. “AI provides hyper-personalization and real-time scalability,” he explained. “In the free zone sector, this has helped us significantly reduce churn, leading to significant financial gains. It’s about identifying pain points and resolving them effectively.
Linoy Kidd, CIO for Global Banking and Markets at HSBC MENAT, highlighted the ability of AI to streamline operations and reduce manual efforts. “AI has transformed the way we compile market data and manage infrastructure usage in data centers,” she said. “It’s not about replacing people but about enabling smarter working. For example, tasks that once took days now take seconds.
Panelists agreed that AI adoption must be responsible and aligned with organizational goals.
The discussion highlighted the importance of targeted AI strategies, cross-functional collaboration and a forward-looking approach to talent development, enabling organizations to thrive in an increasingly complex digital era.
Sebastian emphasized the importance of starting small, emphasizing that his team used minimal resources to establish a secure data environment. “Data is the only constant,” he said. “Applications come and go, but your data about people and businesses must persist. This foundation enables predictive capabilities and personalization of customer interactions. He also highlighted the role of AI in knowledge retention through digital knowledge bases built on large language models (LLM).
Ramesh highlighted the importance of data preparation for AI adoption. “Many existing organizations lack connected data. Without convergence, you cannot start your AI journey,” he said. As CFO, he focused on linking AI investments to three key outcomes: growth, operational excellence and customer experience. He said: “Boards need quantifiable impact. Better fidelity, cost reduction and revenue growth must justify AI initiatives.
Linoy highlighted cybersecurity and regulatory compliance as non-negotiable priorities in the financial sector. “Every project requires cyber approval,” she explained. “Understanding regulations and implementing robust security measures are essential. »
Panelists agreed that change management is vital. Ramesh noted, “AI transformation requires cultural changes alongside technological changes. Employees need to view technology as their responsibility, not just IT’s.
