Executive Invitation

Mastering AI Blueprint

Building AI-Driven Smart Digital Infrastructure

for Hong Kong Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)

 
 
 
An Exclusive Afternoon Networking Reception of Insights - Featuring Guided Japanese Whisky Tasting & Pairing
 
 
RSVP NOW
10 July 2025 | 3:45 - 7:00pm |
Blueprint, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay

Afternoon Networking Reception with CxO Panel

Complexity never tasted so smooth — AI Infrastructure and Whisky Pairing, Redefined 
 

As AI becomes the heartbeat of BFSI innovation — from fraud detection to hyperpersonalized services — the pressure on data infrastructure intensifies.

CDOTrends and NTT invite you for an exclusive, peer-driven session that explores how Hong Kong’s BFSIs are mastering the AI blueprint. We’ll cut through the hype to explore how Hong Kong BFSIs are adapting through a carefully curated agenda of presentations and CxO panel discussions. Learn from specialized experts, subject matter experts, and your BFSI peers about building and future-proofing your AI-ready data center.

Discover how to turn regulatory challenges into strategic advantages, and why the art of whisky distillation mirrors the precision needed in AI infrastructure design.

The New AI Infrastructure Blueprint:

Master strategies for extreme power density, liquid cooling adoption, fabric management, and intelligent workload placement to maximize performance and ROI for demanding AI/ML models.

Rebalancing the ESG & Efficiency Equation:

Discover how advanced colocation solutions and sustainable design principles help navigate Hong Kong's updated Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance, including new energy audit and disclosure requirements.

Greater Bay Area's Data Dynamics for AI:

Engineer robust, secure, and compliant high-bandwidth, low-latency data architectures essential for fueling cross-border AI innovation in the Greater Bay Area.

Future-proofing Your Core Competitiveness:

Learn from experts and your peers on rewriting data center strategies for AI and build agile and resilient architectures of Web3 and Agentic AI.

RSVP NOW

Keynote Speakers

EY-Chris-Barford-circle-2
 Chris Barford
Partner,
 Financial Services Consulting AI & Data Lead
EY Hong Kong
Chris is a technologist and is responsible for projects driving the strategic transformation of his client's businesses using artificial intelligence (AI), analytics and data in Asia-Pacific. Chris began his career in London, before moving to Asia in 2016.
He works closely with banks and insurers to apply his technical knowledge on how technology and digitalization can help deliver business value. He has a proven track record of providing technological upgrades in large business transformation projects.
He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Steven-So-circle
Steven So
Chief Technology Officer
NTT Com Asia
Steven So is responsible for the business development, facility planning, and performance management of data centers operated by NTT in Hong Kong. He is also in charge of business planning, infrastructure design, and project management of the award-winning Hong Kong Financial Data Center in Tseung Kwan O.

Prior to joining the company in 2008, he was the Facility Manager of EC Harris responsible for operation and transition management at the HSBC Data Center. He was also the Senior Administration Manager of APT Satellite Co. Ltd. in charge of the construction and management of APT Telepark in the early 2000s.

CxO Panel Speakers

Moderator-Winston-circle
Winston Thomas (Moderator)
Editor-in-Chief
CDOTrends
owenchong-xiaoice-circle
Owen Chong
Vice President of Overseas Business
Xiaobing (Company Link)
ryan-manuel-bilbyAI-2
Ryan Manuel
Founder
Bilby AI (Company Link)
Phil-circle
Phil McManus 
Director
Business Innovations
NTT Com Asia

Agenda

3:45pm

Door Opens with a Sip of Whisky to Start Networking

Keynote: Cracking GBA's AI Code: A BFSI Masterclass for Navigating Data & Governance Complexity

Industry Insights: Building the Resilient BFSI AI Backbone for a Competitive Edge

As AI reshapes industries at an unprecedented pace, the reliability of our digital backbone becomes not just important—but indispensable. We must navigate the dual challenge of mitigating inevitable disruptions while boldly seizing the transformative opportunities ahead. Explore the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies redefining the global response:
AI Data Centres
The implication of purpose-built AI DC, specifically for high-density workloads tailored to the evolving demands of BFSI sector.
Energy-efficient Design
The best practices in sustainable data centre architecture to minimize environmental impact while supporting growing power needs for AI-driven operations.
Direct Liquid Cooling
The advanced approach to dramatically improve power consumption efficiency for high-performance and AI-focused computing.
Next-Generation Connectivity
The practical implications of cutting-edge networks e.g. IOWN, and wireless technologies to address the challenges of BFSI operations and IOT-rich environments.

CXO Panel: Unraveling AI Complexity for BFSI - Implications on Compliance, ESG, GBA and Future Tech

With AI-driven innovations & applications momentum continues, it creates interconnected challenges and opportunities for BFSIs. This panel discussion will share actionable insights, practical frameworks, and forward-looking perspectives on: AI Demands, Compliance & ESG, GBA Advantage, Future AI technologies.

Q&A Session​

Guided Japanese Whisky Tasting & Pairing

Networking

Townhall @ Blueprint 

 

The Perfect Social Place for Ideas & Insights

Brace yourselves and get ready to take in its magnificence. Pull back the curtain, come inside and discover its grandeur. See for yourself what boundless space, flexibility and imagination can conjure. 

 

When AI meets Whisky
​A Masterclass to Find the Perfect Balance
 

Explore the parallels between the meticulous craft of whisky distillation and the precision engineering of AI-ready data centers. 

  • Learn how to future-proof your AI infrastructure
  • Navigate ESG and regulatory shifts with confidence
  • Explore GBA data dynamics and cross-border compliance
  • Network with BFSI peers and industry experts
  • Enjoy a curated Japanese whisky tasting experience
FY25_NTTCDOTrend_Whiskypairing
Town Hall - Pod [54pax, 9pods] - 1
town-hall-full-theater-blueprint-hk

Townhall @ Blueprint

Brace yourselves and get ready to take in its magnificence. Pull back the curtain, come inside and discover its grandeur. See for yourself what boundless space, flexibility and imagination can conjure. 

Register now to savor a sip of Japanese whisky with the touch of AI.

This is an invitation only event dedicated for IT leaders from enterprises. Due to limited capacity, a confirmation email will be sent upon registration to secure seats.

NTT and/or CDOTrends reserve(s) the right to review, confirm, or decline registrations.