History and prospects of Digital Finance

Register on Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/it-IT/zurich-ai/events/308422430/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

Prior Knowledge

Doctoral candidates in this course are expected to have a basic understanding of the economics of financial institutions and the role of financial institutions in the financial markets and in the real economy. A previous basic understanding of the regulatory framework of financial services and products is also advised. 

Detailed Schedule

Tue 9 December 2025

9:00 -10:30 Lecture Introduction to Environmental Finance and Sustainability (Polina Khrennikova)

11:00-13:00 Lecture and tutorial Financing Sustainability (Polina Khrennikova)

Lunch

14:00-15:00 Lecture Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The Emerging Agenda (Polina Khrennikova)

15:15-17:30 Lecture and Discussion The Corporate and Social/Economic Challenge (Polina Khrennikova)

17:30-18:30 Invited presentation Environmental issues and risks (Speaker TBA)

Wed 10 December 2025

9:00-9.30        Welcome and Introduction to the Module (Maria Iannario & Alessandra Tanda)

9.30-11:00      Course introduction. Review of the basics of financial intermediation theory and regulatory provisions in the financial markets (Alessandra Tanda)

11:00-12:00    A History of Technology and Finance – pt1   

Lunch

13:00-14:00    A History of Technology and Finance – pt2   

14:00-18:00    Project Group formation, topic selection and problem formulation   

Thu 11 December 2025

9:00-10:00      The actors: financial institutions, Fintech companies and Bigtech companies (Alessandra Tanda)

10:00-11:00    AI in the Financial Sector: A Strategic Approach (Sergio Spaccavento)

11:00-12:00    Digitalisation of the insurance sector (Eleonora Isaia)

Lunch

14:00-16:00    Innovation in banking: adoption of blockchain technologies (Tim King)

16:00-18:00    Presentations  Flipped classroom: poster presentations      

Fri 12 December 2025

9:00-11:00      Neobanks: distinguishing features (Alberto Citterio)

11:00-12:00     Digital transformation and bank profitability (Alberto Citterio)

Lunch

14:00-16:00    Lecture (Diederick van Thiel)

16:00-18:00    Lecture Evolution of the national and international regulatory framework on digital finance (Alessandra Tanda)