The Banking Executive Magazine - February 2025 Issue

ISSUE 193 JANUARY 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 47 FinTech and AI Chornicle cordingly requires investors to re- think their investment strategies. Bas said: "With current inflation rates, geopolitical turmoil, and several other factors at play, diversification is no longer optional; it is a must to en- able financial freedom in today’s world. The days of relying solely on traditional markets are fading fast – if not already in the rearview – and in- vestors who are not tapping into AI- driven opportunities risk falling behind." "Tech-based Algorithmic trading, data-powered insights, and risk-man- aged asset allocation are reshaping wealth-building strategies, giving in- vestors the ability to secure a future- proof portfolio that balances innovation, security, and high- growth potential. Dubai’s top 10 global AI ranking could elevate even further if the country’s current $100 billion AI GDP forecast is realized in five years," he added. As one of the biggest tech-infrastruc- ture projects in the world, one of the UAE’s most recent endeavours is a $30-$50 billion investment in a 1-gi- gawatt AI data centre in partnership with France. This collaboration rein- forces the country’s elite global standing in this space and also a will- ingness to cross-collaborate towards innovation. As global AI leaders turn to Dubai for strategic collaboration, the region is attracting both massive capital and top-tier talent, making this a prime moment for investors to tap into the AI boom, said the expert. Complimenting this surge, the global wealth management software mar- ket, the key to AI-driven investing, is already valued at $5.51 billion and set for explosive growth, projected to expand at a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025 through the decade’s end. For investors looking beyond tradi- tional markets, AI is the next big play in reshaping portfolio strategies, un- locking new revenue streams, and building future-proof investments, stated Kooijman, who is helping in- vestors make sense of this massive shift, enabling HNWIs and UHNWIs to secure high-growth, long-term re- turns through strategic portfolio di- versification.