Roundtable

Overview

THE FUTURE OF BANKING DOESN’T BLINK

India is no longer following the global playbook for digital banking-it is writing it. With UPI clocking an unprecedented 19–20 billion transactions every month, national-scale real-time digital lending becoming mainstream, CBDC pilots redefining settlement architecture, and AI-powered fraud detection operating in milliseconds, India’s financial ecosystem is now running at a pace and precision that has no global parallel.

In this era of continuous digital engagement, banking has crossed a fundamental threshold. It has evolved from a service into a digital utility-expected to be invisible, intelligent, and always-on. As regulatory expectations surge around resilience, cyber hygiene, data sanctity, and zero-downtime operations, the country’s financial institutions face a defining mandate:

Build systems that never fail. Never freeze. Never sleep.

Aligned to this theme, this closed-door leadership discussion convenes the technology vanguard-CIOs, CTOs, Infrastructure Heads, Operations Leaders, and Digital Architects from India’s most future-ready banks. The dialogue goes far beyond conventional digital transformation debates. It will decode the architectures, operating models, and engineering rigor required to build Always-On Digital Systems that power India’s next decade of financial leadership.

This roundtable is Powered by CtrlS.

Key Themes of Discussion:

• The Rise of a Nation That Runs in Real Time
• Architecting for Five-Nines and Beyond
• When AI Becomes the New Workload Gravity
• Operational Culture as a Competitive Moat
• Digital Compliance as a Live Discipline

Who should attend: 

• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
• Chief Infrastructure Office
• Chief Digital Officer (CDO)

As Indian retail and D2C brands scale globally, duty exposure, HS classification, and documentation risk become critical levers shaping margin stability and customer experience. This closed-door roundtable brings together founders and senior leaders to decode the operational, financial, and compliance challenges of expanding across major corridors ASEAN, EU, Middle East, and especially the U.S., were complexity and cost impact rise sharply.

Designed as a high-signal, insight-driven conversation, the session unpacks how exporters can build predictable landed costs, reduce classification friction, and strengthen governance before entering their most influential market: the United States.

Key Themes of Discussion:

• Global View: Retail exporters face different cost pressures across ASEAN, EU, Middle East, and U.S.
• Friction Points: Duties and classification begin shaping market choices earlier than most founders expect.
• Inflection Point: The U.S. is where duty impact, HS complexity, and documentation risk escalate sharply.
• Margin & Experience: Classification errors, duty surprises, and port-specific differences directly affect margin and customer experience.
• Future-Readiness: Brands that scale predictably into the U.S. invest early in capability, governance, and landed cost discipline.

Who should attend: 

• Founders & CEOs (export-led brands)
• CFOs and Finance Heads
• COOs and Supply Chain Leaders
• Heads of International Expansion / Global Logistics

Global Expansion 2026 Turning Tax Complexity into Finance Control brings CFOs, finance controllers, tax leaders, and RevOps heads together for a focused, peer-level discussion on U.S. sales tax risk in SaaS and IT services. As states widen economic nexus to digital services and recurring billing creates thousands of taxable events, exposure now begins with a single contract or a remote employee. Investor diligence and enterprise buyers also expect clean registrations, accurate filings, and defensible exemption logic before deals close. This roundtable maps where complexity really starts compares operating practices across Nexus, rate determination, filings, and audits, and shows how finance teams can embed automation for predictable growth. Expect live polling, a concise 2025 taxability brief, a capability-maturity benchmark, and practical next steps that improve control without adding headcount. Ideal for companies planning U.S. expansion in FY 26–27, and for leaders who want compliance to scale with revenue, not against it.

Key Themes of Discussion:

• What Triggers Nexus in SaaS?
• Scaling Without Tax Fatigue
• Tax Capability Maturity Map
• U.S. is high-value, high-variation geography for businesses in IT + Digital services
• State tax in US varies and matters earlier than businesses expected.

Who should attend: 

• CFO / Head of Finance
• Finance Controller / Head of Tax
• Head of Revenue Operations / Billing
• Strategy Leaders (SaaS & IT Services)

India’s GCCs are quickly moving beyond their traditional roles as support centers to become real drivers of innovation and growth. With AI taking center stage, the next big step is learning how to make it work in everyday operations – not just in pilot projects or dashboards. Many GCCs are now exploring how agentic AI can help them automate smarter, make faster decisions, and create business value more independently.

This roundtable Powered by Xebia and Microsoft will bring together senior GCC leaders to discuss how organizations can put AI into action, build the right systems and governance, and prepare for an AI-first future.

Key Themes of Discussion:

• From Insights to Impact: Using AI to make faster, smarter business decisions
• Safe and Scalable AI: Building responsible, well-governed AI systems inside GCCs
• Next-Gen GCCs: Creating tech-driven centers that deliver innovation, not just operations

Who should attend: 

• Executive Director – AI/Data Strategy, AI 
• Technology Leaders
• Managing director – India
• VP – IT/IT Strategy, AI Leadership, Digital
• Transformation Leader

Where the Future of BFSI Takes Shape 

The financial services landscape is undergoing one of the most profound transformations in its history. As the industry embraces the power of cloud computing, AI, and digital-first business models, traditional systems of engagement and decision-making are being redefined. The future belongs to institutions that can move beyond process automation and analytics, to intelligent, autonomous ecosystems capable of learning, adapting, and acting in real time. 

In this era of rapid change, Agentic AI is emerging as the next frontier. Unlike conventional AI, which relies on pre-programmed responses and limited models, Agentic AI enables self-directed, goal-oriented systems that can reason, plan, and execute complex tasks with minimal human intervention. For financial institutions, this shift represents an opportunity to unlock unprecedented levels of agility, personalization, and operational intelligence. 

About the Roundtable 

This exclusive, invitation-only roundtable hosted by Xebia convenes senior leaders across Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) to explore how Agentic AI is reshaping every aspect of the financial enterprise, from customer experience to compliance. 

In a closed-door setting, industry visionaries will exchange perspectives on how to responsibly harness AI to achieve scalable innovation, regulatory resilience, and customer-centric growth. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, participants will uncover actionable strategies to integrate autonomous intelligence into core business processes and customer journeys. 

Key Themes of Discussion 

1. Intelligent Onboarding and Personalization
   Reimagine the first moments of customer engagement. Discover how AI-powered agents can deliver seamless onboarding experiences,eliminate friction, and build trust through hyper-personalized journeys that adapt to each individual’s financial goals and behaviors. 
2. The Future of Lending and Credit Intelligence
   From credit scoring to portfolio optimization, Agentic AI is enabling smarter, data-driven lending ecosystems. Learn how leading institutions are using adaptive intelligence to balance growth with risk, accelerate decision-making, and expand financial inclusion.
3. Proactive Risk Management and Compliance
   In a regulatory environment that demands precision and transparency, Agentic AI offers a new way forward. Explore how autonomous systems canidentify emerging risks, detect anomalies in real time, and ensure compliance without compromising agility or innovation. 
4. Redefining Customer Engagement
   Move beyond reactive service models towardproactive, conversational, and context-aware interactions. See how intelligent virtual agents and AI copilots are transforming how financial brands communicate, predict needs, and strengthen customer relationships at scale. 

Why Attend: 

• Connect with peers shaping the future of BFSI transformation. 

• Gain insights from experts and early adopters of Agentic AI across financial domains. 

• Exchange perspectives on the strategic, technological, and ethical dimensions of AI-driven automation. 

• Discover frameworks for building agile, compliant, and resilient financial ecosystems powered by intelligent automation. 

This roundtable is designed not just as a discussion, but as a collaborative think tank for the leaders redefining how financial organizations operate in an increasingly autonomous digital economy.

Who should attend: 

• VP and above 

• CIO 

• CISO 

• Digital Banking Head / President 

• Head of Risk Management 

Overview

The Times Group Think Tank Discussion, powered by Xebia in collaboration with ET Edge, is an exclusive, closed-door conversation bringing together senior leaders from universities, engineering institutes, and academic councils. The discussion will focus on how Industry 5.0 is reshaping expectations from higher education and how institutions can prepare students for a world where advanced technologies work alongside human creativity and judgment.Participants will explore ways to redesign academic curricula, integrate AI and digital tools into classrooms and research, and strengthen collaboration with industry. The session will also highlight practical approaches to building a future-ready talent ecosystem that supports innovation, ethics, and human-centric thinking.

Key Discussions

• Human–Machine Collaboration: Preparing students for a workplace where automation and human insight complement one another.
• Curriculum Modernization: Aligning course structures with Industry 5.0 competencies such as AI literacy, robotics awareness, sustainability, and systems thinking.
• Digital-First Learning: Embedding AI-driven platforms, simulation tools, and data-centric learning into academic environments.
• Stronger Academia–Industry Linkages: Creating structured partnerships, live projects, internships, and research exchanges.
• Innovation Mindset: Encouraging problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and real-world experimentation.
• Ethics & Responsible Tech: Teaching students to navigate the social, ethical, and governance implications of emerging technologies.

Who Should Attend

• Vice Chancellors & Deans: Leaders shaping institutional strategy and academic transformation.
• Directors of Engineering & Technical Institutions: Decision-makers steering curriculum development and modernization.
• Heads of Departments & Program Chairs: Champions of integrating new skills and pedagogies into classrooms.
• Academic Policy Makers: Influencers guiding future-ready education frameworks.
• Industry Partnership Heads: Professionals responsible for building campus–corporate collaboration.
• EdTech & Digital Learning Leaders: Enablers of technology-driven academic innovation.

Overview:

The roundtable will discuss the complexity and real cost of cross-border growth, focusing on identifying growth friction (e.g., landed cost, returns, cash flow) and cost unpredictability (e.g., shipping, duties). Experts will share how automation and integrated systems can help manage costs and control risk by improving data accuracy, reducing time to delivery, and enhancing financial stability during scaling.

Key Discussions

• Leveraging automation and AI for scalable finance operations.
• Protecting cash flow, compliance, and business valuation.
• Managing state-by-state nexus and reducing audit risks.
• Best practices for logistics, compliance, and cross-border expansion.
• High international shipping costs cutting into margins.
• Customs duties, taxes and unpredictable import fees raising landed costs.
• Risk of delays or hold-ups from customs clearance or regulatory compliance.
• Complexities and expenses in cross-border returns and reverse logistics.

Who Should Attend

• Chief Financial Officer
• Founder and Co-Founders
• Chief Business and Revenue Heads
• Director of Finance
• Finance Head
• GST and Taxation Head

Overview

The Times Group Think Tank Discussion, powered by Snowflake in association with ET Edge, is an exclusive, closed-door forum bringing together CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and senior enterprise technology leaders. The discussion will center on how AI-powered enterprise intelligence is redefining decision-making and fostering a new era of data-driven innovation. Participants will explore how to securely integrate generative AI into business workflows, eliminate data silos, and build a culture of self-service analytics. Snowflake will also provide a live exploration of Snowflake Intelligence, showcasing how conversational interfaces, verified insights, and seamless governance can revolutionize enterprise productivity.

Key Discussion:

• Conversational Intelligence: Enabling every employee to interact with enterprise data through natural language.
• Bridging Data Gaps: Removing barriers between business users and insights through a unified, secure interface.
• Beyond Dashboards: Moving from static reporting to contextual, actionable intelligence.
• Data Team Empowerment: Freeing data teams from ad-hoc requests by enabling business user autonomy.
• Governed Innovation: Balancing agility with robust data security, governance, and compliance.
• Trusted, Verified Answers: Ensuring reliability through traceable, pre-certified responses and verified insights.

Who Should Attend

• Chief Information Officers (CIOs): Visionaries driving enterprise-wide data and AI transformation.
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs): Leaders architecting scalable, AI-powered enterprise systems.
• Chief Data Officers (CDOs): Strategists ensuring trusted, compliant, and governed use of data.
• Chief Digital Officers: Champions of innovation through automation and insight-driven growth.
• Business & Analytics Heads: Decision-makers seeking to empower teams with faster, trusted intelligence.
• Enterprise Architects & IT Leaders: Implementers of secure, scalable AI architectures.

Is Your Enterprise Ready to Operate as an AI Factory?

By 2026, 80% of enterprises will have formal AI engineering practices to operationalize AI models and ensure scalability, reliability, and business impact. (Gartner, 2025)

While the promise of AI is undeniable, many CXOs face critical challenges in making it a scalable reality:
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• From pilots to scale: Most enterprises remain trapped in proof-of-concept cycles without a clear pathway to full-scale deployment.
• Infrastructure modernization: Legacy systems and fragmented data pipelines hinder AI adoption.
• Governance & ROI: Balancing compliance, security, and measurable outcomes remains a board-level priority.
• Talent & capability gaps: Building AI factories requires specialized expertise that organizations are still racing to acquire.

CXOs are seeking blueprints, peer exchange, and proven strategies to move beyond experimentation and establish AI factories as engines of enterprise intelligence.

The AI Factory Leadership Think Tank, hosted by the Times Group Think Tank, in collaboration with Netweb a partner of NVIDIA. as knowledge partners, brings together a select circle of CXOs from Fortune 500 companies in Retail, Quick Commerce, and BFSI.

This by-invitation-only gathering will explore how AI factories are redefining enterprise infrastructure, unlocking business-critical use cases, and delivering sustained competitive advantage.

Engage in high-level dialogue, exchange insights with peers, and co-create the roadmap for enterprise-scale AI factories — with exclusive closing perspectives from NVIDIA, the global leader in AI innovation.

What You’ll Gain

• Blueprints for Scale: Practical insights to move from AI pilots to enterprise-scale deployment.
• Strategic Advantage: Understand how AI factories create a sustainable competitive edge.
• Peer Learning: Engage with CXOs facing similar challenges in Retail, Quick Commerce, and BFSI.
• Future-ready Vision: Hear directly from NVIDIA on what’s next for AI factories globally.

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity is not a trend, it’s the foundation of the next decade’s digital strategy. As cyber threats grow in scale and complexity, and cloud adoption accelerates across industries, leaders must reimagine security not as a barrier, but as a business enabler. This exclusive Think Tank is your opportunity to engage with the sharpest minds in the industry and co-create the frameworks that will secure, scale, and sustain India’s digital enterprise ecosystem. Together, we’ll move beyond theory, into actionable insights, future-ready architectures, and real-world solutions.

What to Expect

• Through interactive discussions and peer-to-peer exchange, participants will:
• Evaluate emerging AI, cloud, and security paradigms for business impact.
• Synthesize strategies that balance innovation with resilience.
• Design frameworks for Zero Trust, governance, and ethical AI.
• Critique vendor models, costs, and risks to optimize investments.
• Formulate a CIO-led blueprint for growth, resilience, and trust.

Who Should Attend?

• CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and IT Decision-Makers from BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, Energy, and Government.

• Technology leaders shaping digital transformation, governance, and cybersecurity agendas.

Join the Dialogue. Shape the Future.

Seats are limited to ensure exclusivity and meaningful engagement.