The Seventh Annual Volatility and Risk Institute (VRI) Conference at NYU Stern, held on April 24, 2026, brought together leading voices to examine the dual-edged nature of artificial intelligence in finance. A morning panel, moderated by Vasant Dhar and featuring Melissa Koide and Andrea Bonime-Blanc, explored AI governance and its implications for financial services.
Panelists acknowledged AI's transformative potential—enhancing productivity, cutting costs, and streamlining operations—especially in finance, where AI tools can rapidly analyze vast datasets to improve efficiency and reduce human error. However, they also warned of significant risks, including the tendency for AI systems to err and the challenges of ensuring responsible use.
The conference, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Risk Management," addressed topics such as improving firm and market monitoring, enabling deeper systemic risk research, and closing data gaps exposed by AI analysis. The discussion underscored the need for robust practices to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its dangers.