AGENDA
09.15
Panel Discussion: Balancing CFO’s Strategic Priorities while Delivering Immediate Results
In 2025, CFOs face the challenge of balancing business growth and profitability with fostering innovation and ensuring compliance. As the finance function evolves, how can it add genuine value from the perspective of business stakeholders? This session emphasises the strategic focus and complexities that CFOs will face in 2026.
- Navigating growth pressures and challenges facing CFOs in 2026
- Ensuring long-term profitability amidst market changes
- Cost control as growth strategy
- Balancing risk and growth
- Making smart investment decisions
Panelist:
10.15
Panel Discussion: Shaping Modern Finance Strategy with Data Intelligence
- Translating data intelligence in the world of finance function
- Finance business partnering through intelligent insights
- Meeting the challenges in executing and delivering data intelligence in finance function
- Best practice in designing, executing and achieving performance of a data intelligence
Panelist:
11.15
11.40
Panel Discussion: Finance Digital Transformation Check-Up
A McKinsey Global Survey of CFOs in March 2024 reveals that while 98% of CFOs have invested in digitisation and automation within their finance functions, only a quarter of their processes are fully digitised or automated. As we navigate the uncertainties of 2026, finance leaders need to understand the challenges and strategies essential for modernising the finance function in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. How should finance leaders drive their digital transformation efforts while balancing the inherent risks and opportunities of the evolving financial landscape in Asia?
- Identifying roadblocks in finance transformation
- Modernising legacy processes
- Maximising efficiency in finance function
- Aligning people and technology for effective transformation
- Measuring ROI of finance transformation initiatives
Moderator:
14.05
Panel Discussion: Revolutionising Finance with Artificial Intelligence
As we approach 2025, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in finance is becoming a pivotal focus for CFOs across Asia. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 90% of finance functions will implement at least one AI-enabled technology solution. Notably, 44% of finance professionals are already leveraging AI for intelligent process automation, enhancing information processing and anomaly detection.
With AI's potential to transform decision-making and operational efficiency, how can finance leaders harness this technology effectively?
- The impact of AI on finance in 2026
- Initiating AI innovations in finance
- Collaborating with IT Leaders for AI deployment
- Evaluating AI tools for finance
- Use cases of AI application to finance activities
Panelist:
C-ENGAGE CONVENTION PLENARY
15.30
Conference Chairperson’s Welcome Remarks
15.35
C-Suite Keynote: Building a Digital-Ready Organisational Culture for Seamless Transformation
A recent Gartner survey reveals that only 48% of digital initiatives meet or exceed their business outcome targets. To thrive in today's digital revolution, business leaders must understand the symbiosis of organisational culture and the successful implementation of digital initiatives. This session examines how business leaders can cultivate a culture that embraces digital tools, encourages continuous learning, and fosters collaboration.
- Top digital transformation considerations for organisational growth and adaptability in 2026
- Fostering a digital-first mindset across the organisation
- Leadership's role in shaping organisational mindset
- Measuring and sustaining digital readiness
Moderator:
16.00
C-Suite Panel Discussion: AI Action Plans for 2026
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shared a preview of Singapore’s plans for research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) by 2030 and said both initiatives on large-scale applied AI push, and cross-sector research will be among wider efforts, including major investments, to secure Singapore’s future amid quickening economic and geopolitical shifts.
With Singapore’s plans in pushing on with applying artificial intelligence (AI) on a large scale in key sectors, as well as launch major research and development (R&D) programmes that cut across different fields in an effort to drive economic growth that creates good jobs, how should business leaders in Singapore redefine their strategy in their AI roadmap for the coming years?
- Practical lessons of AI implementation: What works and doesn't
- Bridging the gap between Open vs. Closed AI models
- Budgeting for AI: Siloed projects or big bang
- Deploying AI as a defence and offence strategy for business resilience
- Decoding AI opportunities for business in 2026
Moderator:
Panelist:
16.35
C-Suite Fireside Chat: Preparing and Winning the AI Talent Wars
Approximately 80% of AI talent leave companies because they either want a more interesting position or don't see opportunities for career advancement; however, BCG research shows that only 10% of new roles are filled by existing staff. With the increasing demands for AI expertise, this session explores the struggles, strategies, and best practices in attracting and retaining top talents in the age of AI and data.
- The evolution of tech capabilities and talent demands in Asia
- Getting ahead of the AI talent crunch in 2026
- Maintaining and managing AI talent pipelines
- Making your own AI talents: Training and development pathways
Interviewer:
Interviewee:
17.00
Closing Panel Discussion: Trade Tariffs as Catalysts for Digital Reinvention
U.S. tariffs will squeeze margins for Singapore’s firms reliant on trans-Pacific trade. CFOs must weigh profitability against investments in automation and AI and digitalisation to streamline costs. CIOs and CTOs will drive this shift, but CISOs face heightened risks: digitized workflows expose vulnerabilities to state-sponsored cyberattacks or ransomware. COOs will need to make sure that the company can handle the impact of tariffs on its operations and bottom line. Meanwhile, Chief Digital Officers must justify ROI on tech bets while ensuring agility—resilience now hinges on scalable digital infrastructure. How can C-Suite successfully walk the tariffs tightropes in 2026?
- Beyond the trade policy: Implications of global tariffs on C-Suite’s top priorities and agendas in 2026
- The need of better C-Suite’s collaboration to respond the current global fragility
- Making cost-effective decisions amidst economic and geopolitical uncertainties
- Ensuring AI and digital investments deliver as tariffs bite into margins
Moderator: