Global Titans at FII9: AI and Human Ingenuity Redefine Finance

At the 9th Future Investment Initiative ( FII9 ) in Riyadh on October 28, world financial leaders converged to share a powerful vision of transformation — one that stretches far beyond artificial intelligence alone. While AI continues to command global attention, discussions at FII9 revealed deeper structural shifts reshaping finance, technology, and human capital.

Laurence Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, urged policymakers and investors to look past the current AI hype and focus on the rapid tokenization of assets and the adoption of digital wallets, technologies that could redefine how capital is exchanged and stored. He warned that most nations remain ill-prepared for this next phase of digital finance, even as it accelerates faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt.

Stephen Schwarzman, Co-Founder and CEO of Blackstone, spotlighted another critical frontier: AI-driven data centers and the global power infrastructure that supports them. With U.S. power reserves now hovering around 15%, and energy demand projected to grow by 4 – 5% annually, he called this shortfall one of the most lucrative investment opportunities of the decade. The intersection of AI and energy security, he argued, will define the next generation of industrial growth.

From Citigroup, CEO Jane Fraser emphasized that AI is already reshaping financial services, improving efficiency, personalization, and innovation. She noted that the convergence of AI and private credit represents a structural turning point for global finance — one that could diversify funding sources and create more resilient financial systems.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhang, Founder and Chairman of Hillhouse Capital, offered a human-centered perspective. He underscored that the best investment strategy remains following visionary entrepreneurs — those who can convert disruption into growth. In his view, human adaptability and creativity will always be the most valuable form of capital.

David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, highlighted the resurgence of M&A and IPO activity, signaling renewed corporate confidence and a more favorable macro environment. He attributed past slowdowns to both regulatory and sentiment-driven headwinds but expressed optimism that deal-making momentum will continue in 2025 and beyond.

Collectively, their remarks at FII9 reflected a broader theme: the global economy is entering an era where digital finance, energy infrastructure, and human innovation converge. From AI to tokenization, and from entrepreneurial agility to financial reinvention, the leaders at FII9 made one thing clear — the future of investment is not defined by machines alone, but by how humanity chooses to deploy its ingenuity to shape the next chapter of global progress.

Click the two links below to watch the full livestream on Wind 3C and follow the world ’ s most influential leaders as they redefine the future of investment and growth.

AI Capital · Full-Chain Future Summit-9th Future Investment Initiatives Conference ( FII9 ) :

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New Growth Engine: Investment in Future Infrastructure, Energy and Cities-9th Future Investment Initiatives Conference ( FII9 ) -Key to Prosperity:

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