Banking software provider Backbase has partnered with MEED for a CXO Leadership Think Tank bringing together senior banking executives in Dubai on 3 November, ahead of MEED’s MENA Banking Excellence Awards, also being held in Dubai on 3 November.

The closed-door session, titled The Next Transformation Bet: What Should Banks Stop Funding, will examine how banks should reassess transformation spending as artificial intelligence (AI) changes the economics of technology investment and delivery.

The discussion comes as banking leadership teams face increasingly difficult decisions over where to direct investment. Alongside new spending on AI, many institutions are already funding large transformation programmes across digital channels, data, customer experience, operations and core infrastructure.

Participants will be asked to identify the areas banks should be prepared to stop, protect and accelerate over the next 12-18 months.

The session will examine what evidence banks should require before continuing major programmes, when to redesign or stop existing initiatives, and which areas should continue to attract investment.

It will also consider how AI is changing decisions over technology ownership and control, including which capabilities banks can source from external providers and where they need to retain greater control over data, decision-making and customer relationships.

The invitation-only discussion will bring together senior banking executives and will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

The think tank will take place during Dubai Future Finance Week, which runs from 2-6 November. The Dubai FinTech Summit will take place on 2-3 November, while MEED’s MENA Banking Excellence Awards will be held on 3 November.