National Bank of Fujairah convened business leaders and experts on Tuesday for the latest installment of its Knowledge Series, focusing on the strategic use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to counter economic volatility and fuel long-term growth.
The event, titled “Navigating Change, Powering Growth,” emphasized the growing role of AI in reshaping customer service, operational efficiency, and organizational structure. It also addressed the impact of tariffs and geopolitical realignments on business planning.
Robert Willock, Director at The Economist Corporate Network, opened with an analysis of the global economic landscape. His presentation, “A Tariff-tying Prospect: Macroeconomics and Geopolitics in an Age of Chaos,” outlined how companies can prepare for ongoing trade policy shifts.
Arnold Gutman, a VP at Gartner, followed with a session on next-generation go-to-market models. He highlighted the emergence of “agentic AI,” which enables systems to act autonomously—initiating service requests, automating tasks, and reducing operational costs. Gutman noted that this technology is creating new roles while displacing routine functions, urging businesses to adapt their workforce strategies.
The forum provided a platform for executives to exchange views on managing uncertainty. A networking session concluded the event, allowing further discussion on practical applications of the insights shared.
The Knowledge Series reinforces NBF’s efforts to position itself as a thought leader in the UAE’s banking sector. As regional economies deepen their investment in technology, such dialogues highlight the growing convergence between finance, digital innovation, and strategic risk management.
NBF’s initiative mirrors a broader trend among UAE financial institutions to offer clients not just banking services, but strategic guidance on technology and geopolitics—key differentiators in a competitive market.
