Sovereign AI and Cloud in Swiss Banking – Staying Competitive in an AI-Driven Global Banking Landscape

Flagship Event

This event is a flagship collaboration between the Swiss Risk Association (SRA), Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), and Microsoft (MS) Switzerland.

This joint initiative brings together industry leaders to explore how Swiss banks can stay competitive in an AI-driven global landscape while maintaining control over data, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. The event aims to provide insights into the latest developments in sovereign AI, cloud strategies, and digital transformation, highlighting both opportunities for innovation and the challenges of ensuring security, resilience, and trust in a rapidly evolving environment.

Summary

Entering the era of AI requires computational power and AI-ready data. If these foundations are not in place, banks will remain predominantly at the PoC level and AI integration will become almost impossible. While many global financial institutions are moving at full speed to industrialise AI, some banks remain stuck in pilots, legacy platforms, and architectural debates. In the meantime, the productivity gap continues to widen.

How long can banks afford to delay AI adoption? What happens when international banks, BigTechs, and digital‑native players capture value from the largest wealth transfer in history where client loyalty decreases and over 70% of the client base leaves their bank once wealth is inherited?

This event brings together speakers with an international background to share insights into how international banks are mastering their AI journey.  

Expert Speakers

• Andreas Münch, Principal AI & Research Pre-Sales Consultant, EMEA at Morningstar
  Andreas Münch combines expertise in finance, technology, and investment data. He holds degrees from ETH Zürich and began his career in architecture before transitioning into finance. He spent over a decade at Credit Suisse, building strong experience in portfolio analytics, investment product lifecycle management, and data platforms. Since joining Morningstar in 2014, he has focused on translating complex data and AI capabilities into practical client value. As Principal AI & Research Pre-Sales Consultant (EMEA), he supports clients in applying AI, equity, and fund research to real-world investment decisions. He holds an MSc in Architecture from ETH Zürich and a MAS ETH MTEC/BWI.
• Richard Hess, Head of Digital Finance at the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA)
  Richard Hess is Head of Digital Finance at the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), where he focuses on the intersection of technology, regulation, and banking, including AI, Cloud, Open Finance and Digital Assets. He was named one of Switzerland’s Top 100 Digital Shapers 2026. Prior to joining the SBA, Richard Hess worked as a management consultant, advising clients across industries on digital strategy and transformation projects. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of St. Gallen and a Master’s degree in International Management from Yonsei University in South Korea.
• Christian Thier, Financial Services Industry (FSI) Lead, Member of the Executive Board at Microsoft Switzerland
  Christian Thier leads the Financial Services Business for Microsoft Switzerland. He assumed the role in October 2022. In this role, Thier drives the strategic and transformational partnerships with banks and financial services firms across all segments, helping its clients to accelerate in digital business transformation. Thier has more than 20 years of experience within the banking, insurance, financial services, and IT industry in various roles of increasing responsibility. Before joining Microsoft, Thier served as Managing Director and Board Member for Interactive Data Switzerland, and Vice President Sales EMEA. Thier holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main.

More speakers will be announced soon. 

This event will be chaired by Sandro Schmid, Presidium & Board Member and Digital Age Chapter Chair of Swiss Risk Association and Managing Principal at EPAM.

Agenda

17:30 – Arrival & Name Tag Collection
18:00 – Welcome & Opening Remarks by Sandro Schmid
18:10 – Keynotes:
19:00 – Panel Discussion and Q&A
19:30 – Apéro & Networking (until 20:30)