From code to capital: Where the future is being invented

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at their core. From autonomous mobility and robotics to predictive healthcare, intelligent retail and generative design, AI is powering new value chains and business models that go far beyond traditional automation. Many of the most important breakthroughs are happening outside banking and are redefining what it means to lead in a technology-driven world.

For banking executives, staying ahead of these shifts requires more than internal transformation. It calls for direct engagement with the innovators, researchers and ecosystems building the future. This means learning from how other industries experiment, scale and embed AI into everyday decisions, not just within financial services but across the broader economy.

To understand where the future is headed, there is no better vantage point than Silicon Valley. As the birthplace of modern innovation and a global laboratory for artificial intelligence, it is where the world’s leading developers, investors and institutions are shaping the next generation of technologies that will influence every sector, including finance.

The Banking Academy Silicon Valley AI Study Tour 2026 is designed around this belief. Over five days, participants will engage with technologists, product architects, venture capital firms, research institutions and ecosystem builders who are working at the frontier of AI. The agenda combines closed-door briefings and concept-led discussions with site visits to advanced AI labs, innovation hubs and startup accelerators. Each session is built to translate cross-industry insights into leadership strategies for financial institutions.

This is not a tour of banking systems or financial technology providers. It is a strategy-level immersion into how AI is reshaping competition, value creation and innovation across industries — looking beyond financial services to understand the full spectrum of technological transformation. It invites leaders to think beyond their immediate sectors, connect the dots across disciplines, and draw inspiration from how others are applying AI to reimagine products, operations and decision-making.

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Key focus areas:

automation

From AI agents to multi-modal generation: The next wave of intelligence

automation

Personalisation at scale: Reimagining the customer experience

automation

The people and institutions shaping innovation today

automation

Blockchain and digital assets redefining financial models

automation

Advancements in robotics driving automation and human–machine collaboration

automation

What it takes to lead successful AI transformation

Itinerary

Silicon Valley AI Study Tour 2026

Day 1, 3 Aug 2026
09:00 - 09:45

Welcome and programme introduction

An introduction to the Silicon Valley ecosystem and study tour that outlines the agenda and highlights how the valley holds together, who the influencers are, and the breakthroughs that we are looking for.

  • Programme overview and what to expect
  • The changing AI innovation landscape in Silicon Valley
  • The people and the ecosystem that brings Silicon Valley together

Introduction by Bob Karr, CEO & founder, and Dawn Debruyn Novarina, cofounder & COO, LinkSV as hosts of the Silicon Valley AI Study Tour

A welcome keynote by Bill Barry, chief executive officer, IgniteGTM; co-founder & partner, INFRACORE LLC

09:45 - 10:30

Shaping the AI race: Global trends and strategic implications

A high-level session exploring how AI is redefining industries, business models, and global ecosystems. We will examine the forces driving adoption, the key players shaping innovation and the emerging strategies that organizations are using to stay competitive in the fast-moving AI landscape. 

  • The emerging AI ecosystems being developed 
  • Frontiers of development work underway in AI in academia
  • The role of academic-industry collaboration in shaping applied intelligence  

Dialogue with: Professor, Stanford University — one of the world’s leading academic centres advancing applied AI, cryptography and systems innovation across financial and digital infrastructures. 

10:30 - 11:15

Intellectual property, data rights and proprietary models in the AI community

Examining the legal landscape of AI, this session explores how intellectual property, data ownership and proprietary model rights shape innovation and collaboration. It highlights common legal challenges in the AI community and how litigation and regulation influence the development of AI technologies. 

  • Navigating intellectual property and data rights in AI
  • Understanding key litigations and their impact on the industry
  • Exploring legal frameworks that guide responsible AI development

Briefing by: Corporate Lawyer, IP Litigation, Fenwick & West LLP, a top-tier firm driving legal strategies for AI’s most pressing data rights and proprietary model challenges. 

11:15 - 11:45

Morning break 

11:45 - 12:30

Mergers, acquisitions and the innovation economy

As AI reshapes competitive advantage, major tech firms and emerging players are accelerating acquisitions to secure talent, models, data assets, and strategic capabilities. We'll explore how M&A strategies reflect the evolving power dynamics of the innovation economy — and what these moves signal for the next wave of industry leadership.

  • Understanding drivers behind AI and tech acquisitions
  • Examining deal structures, valuations and outcomes
  • Analysing how M&A shapes the AI innovation landscape

Briefing by: M&A Lawyer, Goodwin Procter LLP, a Silicon Valley vanguard crafting deal structures for AI trailblazers, illuminating the strategic shifts driving industry dominance. 

12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

13:45 - 14:30

The art of picking winners and losers in AI

This session explores the strategies, insights and frameworks used to identify the most promising AI ventures, technologies and trends. It highlights what differentiates successful innovations from those that fail and examines the factors that drive adoption, scale and market impact in the AI ecosystem.

  • Evaluating emerging AI technologies and startups
  • Understanding key indicators of success and failure
  • Identifying trends that shape the next wave of innovation

Briefing and Dialogue with: Partner, Sequoia Capital, the Silicon Valley oracle decoding AI's winners from hype, fuelling the next trillion-dollar breakthroughs. 

14:30 - 15:15

State and public funding for innovation in California

Exploring how public funding programs in California drive technological innovation and support the growth of AI and emerging technologies. The session examines funding priorities, selection criteria and measurable outcomes, highlighting how government initiatives shape the innovation ecosystem and encourage experimentation and commercialisation.

  • Understanding funding programs that accelerate AI and tech development
  • Examining goals, metrics, and measurable results of public investments
  • Exploring how state initiatives influence innovation networks and startup growth

Briefing by: Deputy Director, Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), champion of $80M investments fuelling AI startups and 23,000 jobs in California's innovation vanguard. 

15:15 - 15:45

Afternoon break

15:45 - 16:30

Talent, skills and workforce dynamics in Silicon Valley

AI is not just a technology shift — it is a talent shift. This session examines how tech leaders think about skills, recruitment and workforce design in a world where AI fluency is a competitive edge.

  • Defining the skillsets needed in an AI-first enterprise
  • Exploring strategies for attracting and retaining top talent
  • Analysing workforce dynamics in high-growth technology hubs

Dialogue with: Talent Acquisition Officer, Anthropic, architect of ethical AI teams, revealing strategies to attract safety-savvy stars in Silicon Valley's talent arena. 

16:30 - 17:15

Ethics and accountability in Silicon Valley AI initiatives

Examining how organizations in Silicon Valley implement responsible AI practices while navigating regulatory, ethical and governance challenges. The session explores frameworks for ethical AI, strategies to build trust with stakeholders and real-world examples of responsible AI deployment.

  • Exploring evolving global frameworks for AI governance
  • Understanding strategies for building trust with users and regulators
  • Learning from case studies in ethical AI adoption

Briefing by: Professor, UC Berkeley Law, trailblazing pioneer of AI governance frameworks, decoding ethical guardrails that safeguard innovation from regulatory pitfalls. 

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 Study Tour 2026

Day 2, 4 Aug 2026
09:30 - 10:15

Valuation matrix for AI start-ups

As capital flows into AI companies at record speed, understanding how valuations are determined has never been more critical. This session explores the key factors that influence startup valuation, how investors assess product maturity and defensibility and what signals determine long-term scalability and market fit.

  • Key variables that shape valuation for AI-driven companies
  • Assessing defensibility, data advantage, and technological depth
  • Signals investors look for when determining long-term potential

Briefing by: Managing Partner, Khosla Ventures, valuation virtuoso dissecting AI's data moats and scalability signals that turn startups into centi-unicorns. 

10:15 - 11:00

AI innovation and ecosystems: Next-generation business models

AI is not just a tool — it is enabling entirely new ecosystems and operating models. This session examines how partnerships, platforms and AI-native architectures are reshaping competitive strategy across sectors.

  • Mapping global AI ecosystems and innovation networks
  • Exploring how AI is transforming business models and operations
  • Examining cross-sector strategies to scale AI responsibly and effectively

Session with: Senior Executive, Netflix, growth alchemist blending GenAI with content ecosystems, decoding monetization revolutions that captivate global audiences at scale. 

11:00 - 11:30

Morning break 

11:30 - 12:15

AI, data and cybersecurity: The Silicon Valley mindset

An exploration of how leading engineers, researchers and security architects in Silicon Valley approach the protection, governance and resilience of data systems in an era defined by AI-driven automation and rapidly expanding attack surfaces.

  • How AI is reshaping threat detection and response
  • Approaches to safeguarding data integrity and trust at scale
  • Emerging models for secure, resilient, and adaptive digital ecosystems

Dialogue with: Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley, CyLab luminary engineering adversarial AI defenses, fortifying data ecosystems against tomorrow's stealthiest threats.

12:15 - 13:15

Networking luncheon

13:30 - 14:15

AI infrastructure & hardware: The economics of next-gen compute

Behind every AI model is a growing infrastructure challenge. This session examines how hardware, cloud and energy use are shaping the cost structure of the AI economy — and what it means for scale, efficiency and access.

  • The compute crisis and cost of AI scaling
  • The race for specialized AI Silicon
  • Future-proofing data centre and cloud strategy

Session with: Architect, Data Centre Performance, AMD, advancing next-generation EPYC processors and Instinct accelerators tailored for AI workloads, enabling cost-effective alternatives in hyperscale data centres to meet surging computational demands. 

14:15 - 15:00

AI-led customer experience: From personalisation to prediction

AI is enabling new levels of personalisation in customer journeys. This session focuses on how AI is used to predict behaviour, tailor offers and redesign service delivery in digital-first environments.

  • Building dynamic, data-driven customer journeys
  • Behavioural analytics and next-best action modelling
  • What financial institutions can learn from consumer platforms

Session with: Senior Director of Data Science, Block, leading AI initiatives across Cash App and Square to create intuitive financial tools that predict user transactions and personalize services, bridging consumer tech with secure payment infrastructures for everyday users. 

15:00 - 15:30

Afternoon break

15:30 - 16:15

China as a strategic rival: How Silicon Valley sees the competition

China is no longer viewed simply as a fast follower but as a parallel innovation engine influencing the direction of AI and advanced technology development. The discussion traces rising competitive pressure, points of unavoidable interdependence and the broader geopolitical and economic forces now shaping global technology ecosystems.

  • Perspectives from founders, investors, researchers and operators with cross-border experience
  • What Silicon Valley considers China’s strongest advantages and most disruptive innovation vectors
  • How geopolitics and export controls are reshaping research, supply chains and market strategies

Dialogue with: Partner, Deep Tech/AI Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, backing transformative AI startups while assessing China's innovation ecosystem, advising on strategies to counter competitive threats in hardware and software domains. 

16:15 - 17:00

Where are we on the frontiers of quantum AI 

Quantum computing, advanced AI architectures and new forms of data processing are beginning to converge, opening possibilities far beyond the limits of classical computation. The conversation explores what is real today, what remains experimental and where breakthrough momentum is building in areas such as optimization, simulation, materials research and secure computation. The aim is not to forecast distant futures, but to understand the technical milestones, ecosystem players and timelines that matter now.

  • Emerging intersections between quantum computation and next-generation AI
  • Use cases where quantum advantage may first become practical
  • Signals to track as research translates into scalable applications

Dialogue with: Senior Research Director, Quantum AI Lab, Google, leading TensorFlow Quantum to blend AI with today’s quantum hardware, speeding up enterprise optimization through hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. 

17:00

End of the day 2


Silicon Valley AI Study Tour 2026

Day 3, 5 Aug 2026
10:30 - 12:00

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, its work in human-machine collaboration, explainable AI and cybersecurity offers valuable insight for financial institutions navigating complexity and risk.

  • Learn how its 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. 
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon 

14:00 - 15:30

Waymo: Autonomy and intelligence on the move

Waymo, the autonomous-driving arm of Alphabet Inc., is pushing the boundaries of AI, robotics and vehicle systems to transform mobility as we know it. With commercial robotaxi services already operating in multiple U.S. cities, the company is a powerful example of how advanced AI, sensor fusion and fleet intelligence can create entirely new value chains in mobility and enterprise services.

  • Explore how Waymo’s core driver-AI and sensor platform is being applied beyond personal transport to logistics, mobility-as-a-service and data-driven fleet operations.
  • Learn how banks, insurers and financial institutions can leverage this mobility infrastructure to unlock new services such as usage-based insurance, mobility financing and real-time risk monitoring.
  • Understand how mobility ecosystems could unlock new financial partnerships and products. 
16:00 - 17:30

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, 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 the philosophy of human-centred design and how it can inspire more intuitive digital banking experiences.
  • Learn how 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.
17:30

End of Day 3


Silicon Valley AI Study Tour 2026

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

PayPal: Unleashing digital finance for the AI-driven future

PayPal, a pioneer in digital payments and commerce infrastructure, enables billions of consumers and merchants across more than 200 markets to send money, shop with digital wallets, access credit and manage business finance. With a platform that spans payments, lending, wallets and commerce data, the company is evolving into a strategic bridge between everyday transactions and advanced financial innovation.

  • Discover how a unified platform combines payments, credit, wallets and data to help banks move beyond transactions toward embedded finance and real-time engagement.
  • Learn how financial institutions can leverage its capabilities to drive customer growth, unlock new revenue and join a global network connecting consumers and merchants.
  • Explore a roadmap for modernising digital banking through platform models, open APIs and commerce-driven data that fuel AI and next-generation services. 
11:00 - 13:00

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 hardware and software integration accelerates AI model deployment.
  • Learn how top financial institutions use Nvidia’s technology for real-time fraud detection, algorithmic trading and generative AI agents in customer service and compliance.

Uncover a roadmap for modernising legacy infrastructure through scalable, high-performance AI. 

13:00 - 14:00

Networking luncheon

14:30 - 16:00

Plug and Play: Accelerating innovation for the financial services frontier

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities and government agencies across more than 60 locations worldwide. With hundreds of industry-specific accelerator programs and a proven investment track record, the firm enables banks and financial institutions to tap into the next wave of fintech and AI-driven disruption.  

  • Explore how Plug and Play brings together early-stage fintech, insurtech and AI startups with major banks and corporates to pilot, scale and integrate breakthrough solutions.
  • Learn how financial institutions can partner with their ecosystem to spot emerging business models, unlock new tech collaborations and gain a strategic edge in digital transformation.
  • Discover a blueprint for building innovation-ready banks by leveraging open innovation programs, global startup networks and scalable venture pipelines to stay ahead in the fast-moving financial landscape. 
16:30 - 18:00

Figure AI and the rise of general-purpose humanoid robotics

Figure AI is pioneering a new wave of robotics by building general-purpose humanoids capable of navigating complex spaces, interacting safely with people and learning over time. Based in San Jose and backed by some of the world’s leading tech investors, the company merges advanced AI, sensor technologies and manufacturing scale to shift robots from lab prototypes to deployable platforms. 

  • Discover how Figure’s robots leverage perception, tactile intelligence, and AI to operate in human environments.
  • Learn why moving from prototypes to scalable platforms is crucial for real-world robotics adoption.
  • Understand how general-purpose humanoids are redefining assumptions about labour and opening new avenues for innovation. 
18:00

End of Day 4 


Silicon Valley AI Study Tour 2026

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

Shaping the next wave of commerce at the Visa Innovation Centre

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.
11:00 - 12:30

Inside Anthropic’s approach to safe and scalable AI

Anthropic is a leading research company developing next-generation AI systems, built on a deep commitment to safety, trustworthiness and alignment. Founded by researchers who previously worked on frontier model development, Anthropic focuses on building models like Claude that are powerful, steerable and transparent in how they reason and respond. Their work has become a reference point for responsible AI deployment across industries.

  • Explore Anthropic’s safety-first model training philosophy and alignment frameworks.
  • See how Claude enables high-performance reasoning, summarization and autonomous workflow execution.
  • Understand how scalable, trust-aligned AI systems shape the next phase of real-world adoption. 
12:30 - 13:30

Networking luncheon

14:00 - 15:30

OpenAI and the new interfaces of intelligence

OpenAI has catalysed a fundamental shift in how humans interact with technology. Beyond large language models, OpenAI is developing new interfaces that allow AI to collaborate with people in real time — shaping decision-making, creativity, and enterprise workflows. This session explores how OpenAI’s evolving ecosystem is reshaping the future of work and digital services across industries.

  • How OpenAI’s latest model families are enabling more fluid, conversational, and multimodal human–AI collaboration.
  • Practical examples of enterprises integrating OpenAI capabilities into customer engagement, knowledge work, and operational workflows.
  • Emerging patterns in governance, trust, and responsible deployment as organizations scale AI from pilots to production. 
15:30 - 16:30

Feedback & concluding session

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

16:30

End of the programme


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

Register Today

USD 15,000

Early bird : USD 12,500 ( before 3 August 2026)

Pricing Package Inclusions The registration fee covers:

  • All site visits, meeting sessions, and activities included in the official programme
  • Presentation decks (if available) and a post-event report
  • 5-night accommodation (2–6 August 2026)
  • Local transportation between all sites and meeting venues in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and selected dinners as outlined in the agenda
  • A letter of participation from TAB Global to support visa applications (upon request)

Exclusions The registration fee does not include:

  • Airfare to and from the United States
  • Visa fees
  • Airport transfers
  • Any personal or incidental expenses beyond the stated inclusions

Note: It is each delegate’s responsibility to obtain a visa for the programme. TAB Global can provide a confirmation or supporting letter upon request to assist with visa applications.

Have a Query? Get in Touch with Us Today!

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