Risk Management x AI 2026

Syed Musheer Ahmed is the Founder and Managing Director of Finstep Asia, a leading advisory firm driving fintech and digital finance innovation across Asia. With two decades of deep-rooted expertise in Financial Services, Capital Markets, Fintech and Digital Assets, Musheer has been a pivotal force in shaping the fintech and digital finance ecosystem across Asia, in particular in Hong Kong, South-East, South Asia and MENA. Musheer has advised global institutions, policy makers and was the Co-founder & inaugural General Manager of the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, while also being part of the foundational team of Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. With a passion for education, Musheer has taught the course on Fintech and Digital Finance for MBA students at the University of Hong Kong and has delivered lectures and workshops on various Fintech and Technology topics at many Universities and large corporates across Asia and Europe. 

Based in Hong Kong, Tom Hutchins leads TransUnion’s fraud solutions business for APAC, focusing on device & network intelligence, deepfake prevention, and bureau-based data. He helps organizations effectively combat emerging fraud threats while improving digital onboarding efficiencies. 

Tom previously worked at LexisNexis Risk Solutions for nearly a decade and has extensive experience working with different industries and various regulators to solve myriad pain points in an ever-evolving and ever-dangerous digital world. He studied Politics & International Relations at Southampton University, and in his spare time is a keen dragon boater, avid golfer and works with cancer awareness charity Phenomenally Pink. 

Prof. Dr. Juergen Rahmel holds a PhD in computer science (Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks) and an MBA in International Management. He started his career with Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, has worked in various IT management positions of different banks. Recent roles include being Head of IT for HSBC Germany, Chief Digital Officer for HSBC Germany as well as AI lead in the Chief Digital Office of HSBC HK. He is currently Director for AI Research in HSBC. Juergen also is a part-time lecturer at the HKU and Adjunct Professor at HKUST. 

Aashish Sharma is an evangelist for the power of decision management. Aashish helps financial institutions around Asia Pacific to improve their decision management and risk lifecycle strategies, which requires understanding clients’ current challenges and being acutely aware of emerging business and technology trends. 

He holds an MBA and Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science. He is also a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) from Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). 

Ms. Karen Wong is a Partner in the Consulting practice of PwC Hong Kong. She has over 17 years of experience in financial services industry, specialising in data analytics and AI modelling, regulatory risk and capital change, and operational and resilience design. Recognised for end-to-end risk consulting and large-scale transformation initiatives across major commercial banks and insurance companies in Hong Kong and the broader APAC regions. 

Karen is highly experienced in helping FIs to strengthen risk resilience, optimise capital efficiency and accelerate business transformations by leveraging emerging technologies, reengineering operating models and streamlining critical business processes. Karen is often invited to deliver speeches on evolving risk & regulatory topics, and was the editorial panel for the regulatory publications in relation to Banking with AI. 

Karen holds a Master degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Risk Management Science and a Bachelor degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Finance and Information Systems. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM).