Attending the GFF 2024 was an exhilarating experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the energy and excitement were palpable, setting the stage for three days of groundbreaking ideas, technological advancements, and invaluable connections in the world of financial technology.
The event opened with an intuitive ceremony, featuring visionary leaders who outlined their bold predictions for the ‘future of finance’. The keynote address, ‘Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance’, by Mr. Ritesh Shulka CEO of NPCI NIPL, captivated me with its forward-thinking insights and charted a path for how fintech will evolve in the coming years. It was clear to me that this fest will focus on bold ideas and transformative change.
There was a sheer diversity of topics covered, from cross-border payments to real-time AI solutions, the discussions were cutting-edge and displayed thought leadership. A session that stayed with me was the panel, addressed by Mr. Iain Allison, Global Head of Business Development, Pay10 Services; Mr. Srinivasa Raghavan, Director-Product Manager, Zoho, on ‘Global Fintech Alliances: Building Bridges for Cross-Border Innovation in Payments’, where experts from around the world shared their strategies for creating seamless financial ecosystems. Equally impressive was the masterclass on ‘Large Scale Data Management for LLMs and Modern AI Applications’, conducted by Mr. Ugur Tigli, CTO, MinlO, which focused on the challenges and opportunities of working with massive datasets for AI applications, which has become an increasingly critical aspect of fintech innovation.
The fest provided a perfect platform for various companies to showcase their latest products, and launches by Pine Labs and Aditya Birla Capital Digital stole the spotlight. These new tools are pushing the boundaries of digital finance, offering smarter and more efficient solutions for both businesses and consumers. Other exciting product launches included Digi Sense and CredAble, both of which harness AI and data analytics to improve financial decision-making.
GFF 2024 also gave me an opportunity to network and connect with my fellow attending, and the informal ‘Beer o’ Clock’ sessions set the stage for this. These interactions led to some of the most innovative and intriguing conversations, where I exchanged ideas with startup founders, financial executives, and tech enthusiasts. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were contagious, with everyone eager to collaborate and drive the industry forward.
Since AI has become a buzzword in the business landscape, it was not a surprise that it became a recurring theme throughout the event, particularly in sessions like ‘Role of AI in Fostering Safe Payments at Scale’ and ‘The Future of AI: Pioneering the Next Frontier’. These discussions revealed how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services, from enhancing customer experience to ensuring security in an era of billion-a-day transactions. It’s clear that AI will continue to be the central force in driving the next wave of fintech innovation.
One of the most inspiring moments came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the audience, emphasizing India’s pivotal role in the future of global fintech. His speech highlighted the importance of fostering innovation and creating an ecosystem that enables startups and established players alike to thrive. Following his address, a panel on ‘AI for Responsible Lending: Regulatory Challenges and Innovations’, conducted by Mr. Natarajan Ramani, Chief Product Officer TRANSUNION CIBIL, Mr. Aabhinna Suresh Khare, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, Bajaj Capital Ltd. tackled the complexities of ‘using AI in lending’, a vital discussion as fintech continues to evolve in a highly regulated environment.
The fest also provided ample opportunities to uncover and understand the emerging trends in payments and digital transformation. From panels on ‘Driving Trends in Payments’ led by Mr. Omar Halabieh, Director Technology, Payments MEA, Amazon, Ms. Mridula Iyer, MD and Head Asia South Treasury and trade Solution, Citibank N.A., to product demos like “Gen AI Voice-Enabled Banking” and “Razorpay’s latest launch”, GFF 2024 offered a glimpse into the future of how we’ll interact with money and financial services. These sessions reinforced the idea that innovation is not just about new technology — it’s about creating solutions that are intuitive, secure, and scalable for a rapidly changing world.
At the heart of the event was the sense of community. Whether I was speaking with a CTO about future collaborations or pitching ideas at the startup booths, the connections made at GFF 2024 will undoubtedly have a lasting impact. It was inspiring to meet so many people driven by the same goal: to create a financial future that is smarter, more inclusive, and more innovative.
GFF 2024 was not just a festival — it was a celebration of the possibilities that lie ahead for financial technology. It offered a dynamic blend of learning, networking, and forward-thinking discussions that will shape the industry for years to come. I left the event with a renewed sense of excitement for the future of fintech and AI, and I can’t wait to see how these insights will translate into real-world impact.
The future of finance is bright, and GFF 2024 showed us that we are just at the beginning of this incredible journey.