The New Frontier: Human-Centric AI in the Future of Finance and Payments
About this event
The European Women Payments Network (EWPN) Annual Conference 2026 will take place on November 3 in the AI House Amsterdam.
This year’s theme: “The New Frontier: Human-Centric AI in the Future of Finance and Payments” focuses on one of the most important conversations in finance today: how we ensure innovation remains #human, #inclusive, and #responsible.
What makes this event especially meaningful is the strength of the EWPN community. For years, EWPN has continued to bring relevant topics to the table and create space for important conversations across fintech and payments.
This year, we launched a new web platform, welcomed new ambassadors across 10+ countries, and strengthened our executive and advisory board, all thanks to passionate people who volunteer their time and expertise because they truly believe in the mission of EWPN!
MORNING
08:30 – 09:30 | 📍 Registration Arrival & Networking
09:30 – 09:45 | 🎤 Opening Welcome & Opening Remarks
09:45 – 10:00 | 🎯 Keynote
The Human Imperative
Why AI in Financial Services Must Start With People
Why human-centred design is a strategic and moral imperative for financial services.
10:00 – 10:45 | 💬 Panel Discussion
The Leadership Playbook for the AI Era
Interactive discussion on leadership, integrity, and keeping humans at the center of machine-led decisions.
10:45 – 11:00 | ⚖️ Spotlight Talk
The EU AI Act
11:00 – 11:25 | ☕ Break Coffee & Networking
11:25 – 11:45 | ⚖️ Spotlight Talk
Industry Trends
11:45 – 12:25 | 💬 Panel Discussion
Who is the Real Customer?
Designing Payment Rails for AI Agents
Exploring the identity shift in payments when autonomous AI agents become primary decision-makers.
12:25 – 12:40 | ⚖️ Spotlight Talk
Why UK Financial Services Must Act Now on AI-Era Resilience
Featuring research from Nadia Edwards-Dashti & Sam Emery
12:40 – 13:15 | 💬 Panel Discussion
Designing for the Moments That Matter
Payments, People, and Purpose
Human-centred payment design during critical life events and provider responsibilities in high-stakes moments.
AFTERNOON
13:15 – 14:00 | 🍽️ Break Lunch & Networking
14:00 – 14:40 | 💬 Panel Discussion
AI-Native or AI-Washed?
Separating Genuine Innovation From the Hype
What it truly means to build intelligent financial products and cutting through market noise.
14:40 – 14:55 | ⚖️ Spotlight Talk
Kindly
AI Built for People, Not Just Automation
14:55 – 15:35 | 💬 Panel Discussion
Your Data, Their Model
Who Really Controls the AI Economy?
Data dignity, consent frameworks, and customer control over the data powering financial AI.
15:35 – 16:00 | ☕ Break Coffee & Networking
16:00 – 16:30 | 🔥 Debate
AI in Financial Services: Liberation or Illusion?
Does AI expand financial access or reinforce existing power structures and exclusion?
16:30 – 16:50 | 🎬 Fireside Chat
The Ultimate Equalizer
Why AI-Enabled Disability & Neurodivergent Inclusion Matters Most When Finance Gets Tough
A candid conversation on leveraging AI to drive accessibility, reduce recruitment bias, and build better financial products through lived expertise.
16:50 – 17:15 | 💭 Open Discussion
Wall of Ideas
17:15 | 🎬 Closing Closing Comments
Source: luma