I recently attended a powerful 40-minute conference session hosted by The Financial Times titled “Adapting to Disruptions: Strategies for Thriving in a Tech-Driven Future.” The discussion featured digital transformation leaders from CaixaBank and Kyndryl, offering firsthand insight into how some of the largest players in banking and telecom are navigating the AI and tech revolution.
1.
AI Adoption: From Assistants to Infrastructure
One of the major themes was the increasing adoption of AI-powered assistants in banking, and the steep learning curve that comes with it. Training AI chatbots, particularly in finance, was described as expensive, time-consuming, and still struggling to deliver a truly intuitive customer experience. Yet, there’s a sense that generative AI voices—with emotional nuance—could be a game-changer in building customer trust and engagement.
In the background of these innovations is a real need for upgrading digital infrastructure. Speakers emphasized that banks must evolve their tech stacks—not just for performance, but to accommodate emerging threats like quantum computing, which could one day compromise traditional encryption. The sense was clear: we’re not there yet, but teams need to start investing early in quantum-readiness.
2.
5G, IoT & Public Sector Innovation
What really stood out was the broader application of AI and 5G technologies beyond just financial institutions. One example discussed was fire services using IoT-connected wearable devices to monitor environmental gases like CO₂ and nitrous oxide in real time—showing how AI and 5G are already enabling life-saving applications in the field.
3.
Blockchain and Infrastructure Modernization
Another key trend was the strategic push toward blockchain integration. CaixaBank, for example, is exploring blockchain infrastructure as a foundational layer for next-gen banking systems and railway systems alike. This signals a shift from “testing” new tech to actually putting it into production-ready environments—a critical leap for innovation.
4.
Data Privacy, Ethics, and Regulation
No surprise here: data privacy remains one of the biggest concerns for institutions, especially as AI agents gain more access to sensitive customer information. The call for internal frameworks and ethical guidelines to assess the impact of new technologies was strong. Banks can’t afford to treat regulation as an afterthought—ethical foresight is now a requirement, not a bonus.
Conclusion
This session left me with a sharper perspective on what it really means to adapt to disruption. It’s not just about adopting the latest tool—it’s about understanding the infrastructure, anticipating regulatory needs, and investing in skills and systems that can evolve with the pace of change.
As someone pursuing a future in tech, this experience reaffirmed how important it is to stay plugged into these strategic conversations—because transformation doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and the future of tech will be shaped by the readiness of industries to lead it responsibly.
