From Code to Capital: Where AI Shapes the Future of Banking

A global race is underway to shape the future of artificial intelligence. Across industries, AI is combining with blockchain, advanced data platforms, robotics and automation to redefine how value is created and exchanged. Financial services sit at the centre of this transformation, with new ecosystems, players and business models rapidly emerging.

For banking leaders, understanding these developments requires more than following technology trends. It calls for direct engagement with the people, companies and research shaping the next phase of innovation. In Silicon Valley, AI breakthroughs intersect with blockchain applications, digital assets and new approaches to data-driven finance.

The Banking Academy Silicon Valley AI Retreat 2026 offers this unique opportunity. Designed as an immersive learning journey, the programme blends high-level conference discussions with curated site visits. Participants will engage with leading AI-driven fintechs, developers of large language models, Nvidia AI technologists, Stanford Research Institute, Stanford faculty and respected venture capital analysts.

Held in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, this is a rare opportunity for global banking executives from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and beyond to experience first-hand the trends, breakthroughs and personalities shaping the future of AI and financial services industry.

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Key focus areas:

automation

From chatbots to agents: the next wave of AI in banking

automation

Blockchain and digital assets shaping new financial models

automation

Personalisation at scale: rethinking customer experience

automation

Ethics and accountability in an AI-driven world

automation

Who is funding the future of finance

automation

What it takes to lead AI transformation

Tour Itinerary

Silicon valley AI Retreat and Study Tour 2026

Day-1, 3 Aug 2026
09:00 - 09:30

Welcome and Programme Introduction

An engaging start to the retreat that outlines the agenda and highlights key trends shaping the future of AI in financial services.

  • Programme overview and what to expect
  • The changing AI innovation landscape
  • Connecting the global banking community with Silicon Valley
09:30 - 10:30

Shaping the AI Race: Global Trends and Strategic Implications

A big-picture opening session that sets the global context for AI in banking and financial services.

  • How emerging AI ecosystems are transforming financial markets
  • Strategic implications for banks, regulators and policymakers
  • The role of Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe in the AI race
10:30 - 11:00

Morning break

11:00 - 12:00

From Chatbots to Agents: Breakthroughs in Generative and Agentic AI

Examining the latest advancements in LLMs, generative AI and agentic systems driving new financial applications.

  • What is next in large language models
  • Beyond conversational AI: moving towards autonomous agents
  • Use cases and lessons from early banking deployments
12:00 - 12:30

Blockchain, Digital Assets and New Models of Finance

Exploring how AI, blockchain and tokenisation are converging to reshape financial services.

  • AI’s role in digital asset innovation
  • Blockchain applications in regulated banking environments
  • The path to scalable token-based finance
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

13:30 - 14:30

Funding the Future of AI in Finance

Insights from top venture capital firms on investment trends shaping AI in banking and fintech.

  • Where the VCs are placing their bets
  • Emerging startups and disruptors to watch
  • Building bridges between banks and the VC community
14:30 - 15:30

AI-led Customer Experience: From Personalisation to Prediction

How AI is transforming customer engagement and service models across financial services.

  • Personalisation at scale with AI and data
  • Predictive insights and behavioural analytics
  • Redesigning the customer journey in the age of AI
15:30 - 16:00

Afternoon break

16:00 - 17:00

Ethics and Accountability in AI-driven Banking

How banks can ensure responsible AI adoption while navigating regulatory, ethical and governance challenges.

  • Evolving global frameworks for AI governance
  • Building trust with customers and regulators
  • Case studies in ethical AI deployment
17:30

Welcome Cocktail Reception

An opportunity for international delegates to connect with Silicon Valley experts and peers in an informal setting.


Silicon valley AI Retreat and Study Tour 2026

Day-2, 4 Aug 2026
09:00 - 10:00

Inside the AI Lab: How LLMs are Shaping Financial Services

Insights from leading AI developers on the capabilities, risks and opportunities of large language models for banking.

  • Current and emerging capabilities of LLMs
  • Managing risk and reliability in financial use cases
  • The future roadmap for LLMs in banking and fintech
10:00 - 10:30

Morning break

10:30 - 11:30

Regulators and AI: Governing Innovation in Financial Services

A conversation with global regulators and policy experts on the future of AI governance.

  • Balancing innovation with responsibility
  • Emerging regulatory frameworks around AI in finance
  • Cross-border perspectives on compliance and supervision
11:30 - 12:30

AI, Data and Cybersecurity: Building Resilient Digital Banks

How banks are integrating AI with advanced data and cybersecurity to create trusted digital services.

  • Leveraging AI for threat detection and prevention
  • Data privacy, governance and AI ethics
  • Building resilience against emerging cyber risks
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

13:30 - 14:30

AI Ecosystems in Silicon Valley: Learning from the Front Lines

Perspectives from entrepreneurs, VCs and corporate innovation leaders on what drives Silicon Valley’s AI ecosystem.

  • How startups, VCs and corporates collaborate on AI
  • What traditional banks can learn from Silicon Valley
  • Connecting global banking with local innovation networks
14:30 - 15:30

Transforming Bank Strategy in the Age of AI

How leading banks are rethinking business strategy, talent and technology in response to the AI shift.

  • Rethinking business models and competitive advantage
  • Building AI-ready leadership and culture
  • Developing AI strategies fit for future growth
15:30 - 16:00

Afternoon break

16:00 - 17:00

Quantum, AI and the Future of Finance

Exploring how emerging technologies such as quantum computing, AI and advanced data analytics could reshape banking and financial markets in the next decade.

  • The potential impact of quantum computing on financial services
  • The convergence of AI, data science and quantum capabilities
  • Preparing for the next wave of technology-driven disruption
17:00

End of Day-2


Silicon valley AI Retreat and Study Tour 2026

Day-3, 5 Aug 2026
09:00 - 10:30

Unlocking New Possibilities in Quantum Finance with Rigetti Computing

Rigetti Computing is a trailblazer in quantum technology, designing and operating its own quantum processors and full-stack systems. While most companies remain focused on classical AI, Rigetti offers a rare glimpse into the next era of computing—developing quantum processing units (QPUs) alongside the software needed to power them. A visit to their lab provides an exclusive opportunity to see firsthand how quantum mechanics is reshaping what is possible in computation.

  • Gain an insider’s view of how Rigetti’s end-to-end approach—from hardware to software—is unlocking computational capabilities far beyond today’s supercomputers.
  • Explore how quantum algorithms can transform financial services, from portfolio optimization and fraud detection to advanced risk modeling.
  • Understand the long-term roadmap for quantum technology and how financial institutions can begin building strategies to integrate it into future innovation.
11:00 - 12:30

Enabling the Data-Driven and AI-Powered Bank of Tomorrow with Databricks

Databricks offers a unified data intelligence platform that empowers banks to manage, analyse and operationalize vast data at scale. By combining data warehousing and data lakes in a single architecture, Databricks helps financial institutions accelerate digital transformation and unlock new AI-driven opportunities.

  • Explore the Lakehouse Architecture that merges data lakes and warehouses into one secure, governed source of truth.
  • Learn how banks apply Databricks to real-time fraud detection, hyper-personalized customer experiences and more.
  • Discover a modernisation blueprint for building an enterprise data hub that supports advanced analytics and generative AI innovation.
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

14:00 - 15:30

Inside Wells Fargo’s Innovation Group

Wells Fargo is a leading American bank with a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation. Their Innovation Group drives the adoption of AI and advanced technologies to improve risk management, compliance and customer engagement. Wells Fargo combines legacy expertise with cutting-edge AI to stay competitive in a regulated market.

  • Discover AI use cases in credit scoring, risk management and fraud detection.
  • Learn how Wells Fargo embeds AI into legacy infrastructure and complex workflows.
  • Hear lessons from scaling innovation within one of the world’s most tightly regulated banking environments.
16:00 - 17:30

Visa Innovation Centre San Francisco Experience

Visa is a global leader in digital payments, connecting millions of consumers, businesses and financial institutions worldwide. The company leverages AI, data analytics and secure payment technologies to drive innovation in digital commerce. Visa’s commitment to collaboration with fintechs and banks is reshaping the future of financial services.

  • Explore Visa’s use of AI in fraud prevention, payments intelligence and customer behaviour insights.
  • Learn how Visa collaborates with banks and fintechs to co-develop next-generation digital payment solutions.
  • Gain a glimpse into the future of embedded finance and real-time, data-driven transactions.
17:30

End of Day 3


Silicon valley AI Retreat and Study Tour 2026

Day-4, 6 Aug 2026
09:00 - 10:30

Snorkel AI and the Future of Programmatic Data Labeling

Snorkel AI is a pioneer in programmatic data labeling and data-centric AI development. Originating from research at the Stanford AI Lab, the company enables enterprises to create, manage and adapt high-quality training data faster than traditional manual labeling methods. Its Snorkel Flow platform empowers organizations to iterate rapidly on AI models by focusing on data quality, labeling automation and continuous improvement.

  • See how Snorkel’s approach replaces slow, manual labeling with automated, adaptable pipelines that keep pace with evolving business needs.
  • Learn how banks can reduce AI development timelines and costs while improving model accuracy in areas such as fraud detection, compliance monitoring and personalized banking.
  • Understand why the quality and adaptability of training data is the most critical factor in scaling AI responsibly and effectively in regulated industries.
11:00 - 12:30

Inception Labs Powering Next Generation Generative AI for Financial Services

Founded by AI pioneers from top universities and staffed with veterans from Google DeepMind, Meta and OpenAI, Inception Labs is a Silicon Valley startup reshaping generative AI with diffusion-based models. Their approach delivers large language models that are significantly faster and more cost-effective, unlocking broader enterprise adoption.

  • Discover how their image-like diffusion process enables faster, more efficient text generation.
  • Explore real-world applications in financial services, from real-time code generation and automated compliance to responsive AI-driven customer service.
  • Learn how Inception Labs' models can serve as a scalable, cost-efficient AI foundation for banks looking to accelerate innovation.
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

14:00 - 15:30

Venture Perspectives at Sequoia Capital

Sequoia Capital is one of the world’s most influential venture capital firms, known for backing transformative technology startups. With a strong focus on AI and fintech, Sequoia supports innovators shaping the future of financial services. Their unique insights into emerging business models make them a key partner for banks navigating disruption.

  • Learn how Sequoia identifies and supports AI-driven fintech disruptors and emerging technologies.
  • Explore the evolving business models shaping the future of financial services.
  • Understand what banks can learn from founders building the next wave of digital finance.
16:00 - 17:30

SRI International: From Moonshots to Financial Innovation

Stanford Research Institute (now known as SRI International) is a world-renowned nonprofit research and development institute with nearly 80 years of groundbreaking innovation—from inventing the computer mouse to helping create the internet. Today, SRI International leads in AI, cybersecurity and human-machine collaboration, offering strategic insights for financial institutions navigating complex challenges.

  • Learn how SRI International’s research-to-commercialisation model drives transformative financial products and services.
  • Explore how its human-centred AI and cybersecurity research can strengthen resilience, transparency and trust in banking.
  • Discover how SRI International is shaping the future of customer service through explainable AI and advanced conversational assistants.
17:30

End of Day-4


Silicon valley AI Retreat and Study Tour 2026

Day-5, 7 Aug 2026
09:00 - 10:30

Inside Nvidia’s Vision for the Future of Financial AI

Nvidia, the company behind the core infrastructure of modern AI, is a full-stack computing powerhouse, offering everything from GPUs to the platforms banks need to build, deploy and scale AI. The Nvidia AI Campus is an innovation ecosystem where financial institutions engage with cutting-edge technology, deep expertise and strategic partnerships to transform data into a competitive advantage.

  • Discover how Nvidia’s unified platform, combining high-performance hardware and tailored software, accelerates AI model development for critical banking functions.
  • Learn how top banks use Nvidia’s technology for real-time fraud detection, algorithmic trading and generative AI agents in customer service and compliance.
  • Uncover a practical roadmap for AI transformation, helping banks move beyond legacy systems toward scalable, efficient and innovation-driven infrastructure.
11:00 - 12:30

Apple Campus Innovation by Design

Apple Park is more than a headquarters; it’s the physical expression of Apple’s commitment to design, user experience and purposeful innovation. With its circular layout, integration of nature and technology and architecture built to spark collaboration, the campus offers powerful insights for financial leaders seeking to create intuitive, secure and strategically designed digital experiences.

  • Explore Apple’s philosophy of human-centred design and how it can inspire more intuitive digital banking experiences.
  • Learn how Apple’s tightly integrated hardware, software and security ecosystem sets a benchmark for trusted digital platforms.
  • Experience how space and culture can drive creativity, wellness and continuous innovation inside an organisation.
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

14:00 - 15:30

Feedback & Concluding Session

We will recap the site visits and discussions with experts and exchange personal conclusions, ideas and inspirational thoughts. Delegates will be asked to present their feedback and takeaways from the tour. 

15:30

End of Day-5


Tour Hosts

Marla Sofer
Marla Sofer
Founder & CEO, knomee

Who should attend?

bank

Board members, chairmen and non-executive directors of traditional and digital banks

bank

Chief executive officers and C-level executives

bank

Heads of technology, operations and innovation

bank

Heads of digital banking, digital finance and customer experience

bank

Heads of strategy, business development and transformation

bank

Heads of AI, data, analytics, cybersecurity, channels and distribution

bank

Policymakers and regulators shaping AI governance in financial services

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