New Delhi

The AI Finance Leadership Summit 2026 (AIFLS’26) concluded on a successful note at the C. D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre, New Delhi, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students, young professionals, academicians and senior leaders from the finance sector. The summit also reached a broader audience through live online streaming.

Conceived as a platform to bridge industry and academia, the summit focused on examining the growing influence of artificial intelligence on the finance profession, particularly its impact on job roles, recruitment expectations and long-term career trajectories. Discussions were driven by insights from CFOs and experienced finance leaders who are actively managing these transitions within their organisations.

The event featured three panel discussions that delved into key topics such as the skills most relevant for finance careers in India, global demand trends for finance and accounting professionals, and the ongoing discourse around AI versus the accountant—highlighting what aspects of the profession are changing, what remains constant, and where human judgement continues to play a vital role. A dedicated fireside chat on upskilling further explored how students and professionals can recalibrate their learning strategies in an AI-enabled environment.

One of the central conclusions from the summit was the need to combine professional qualifications with practical, industry-relevant capabilities and strong human skills such as communication, adaptability and decision-making. Speakers underlined that while AI is expected to automate routine processes, the future value of finance professionals will increasingly rest on their ability to interpret data, provide contextual insights and demonstrate leadership.

The summit received support from multiple organisations within the education and EdTech space. EduMont Classes contributed by highlighting pathways to globally recognised professional certifications such as CPA and CMA. Oaktree School of Finance brought its focus on developing industry-ready competencies alongside people-centric skills, while Hierank Business School supported the initiative through its emphasis on aligning academic curricula with evolving industry requirements.

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The conclusion of AIFLS’26 reaffirmed the importance of collaborative platforms that bring together industry experts, educators and learners, helping them better understand and prepare for the rapidly transforming finance landscape.