At the World Governments Summit, global technology and finance leaders outlined how rapid digitalisation is transforming everyday life, financial services and governance models. Khalifa Al Shamsi of e& International said telecom companies are evolving beyond connectivity into full-fledged digital platforms supporting consumers, enterprises and governments. Citing India’s UPI and Brazil’s Pix, he stressed that government-backed digital infrastructure plays a critical role in accelerating innovation and financial inclusion.
Robinhood’s Chief Legal Officer Daniel Gallager explained how mobile-first financial platforms disrupted traditional models by eliminating fees and barriers for younger users. He noted that while innovation often outpaces regulation, countries like the UAE are setting an example by engaging proactively with fintech and crypto sectors.
Ashish Koshy of Inception highlighted artificial intelligence as the next major shift, predicting the rise of AI agents that act on user intent rather than manual navigation. He emphasised the need for localisation, digital sovereignty and bias-free AI systems to ensure accessibility for all age groups.
The speakers agreed that simplicity, inclusion and intelligent regulation will define the next phase of digital transformation, offering countries a chance to leapfrog outdated systems through AI-driven design and collaborative policymaking.
