This session featured presentations from Claudette McGowan and Jonathan Hausman, each bringing forward a vision for adapting to future challenges in the financial sector. Claudette, an expert in cybersecurity, emphasized the role of technology, particularly AI, in transforming banking and cyber threats. She discussed the evolution from traditional security measures to AI-driven systems like machine learning and predictive analytics, which enhance fraud detection and customer personalization. The discussion also covered emerging technologies like quantum computing, which promise new levels of encryption but also pose risks to existing cybersecurity frameworks. Claudette stressed the need for organizations to invest in quantum-resistant technologies and focus on AI ethics and privacy concerns.  

Jonathan Hausman is a strategist for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. He spoke about the political economy, which has seen an end to hyper-globalization and open markets, giving way to a world of economic bifurcation where the U.S. and China each lead economic and political blocs that are not pulling in the same direction. He commented that this is really not new, but a return to historical norms, albeit in the new context of global connectivity. Jonathan stressed that the key to dominance in this global rivalry is technology, and that Canada has an opportunity to benefit by “mattering more” to our U.S. allies, particularly in providing what they need in terms of energy and key minerals. 

The Q&A was led by GRI’s Vanda Vicars and focused on the need to adapt to the new political and technological realities that are shaping our world. Jonathan said that winning organizations are prioritizing awareness, experimentation and curiosity, and that the managers of the future will combine technological knowledge with political awareness. Claudette stressed the need for cyber literacy across organizations and noted that threat actors are innovating, so legitimate organizations need do likewise, and “invest to win” in AI, quantum, blockchain and other technologies of the future.