Whether you're a student starting out, a finance professional planning a career pivot, or a startup founder facing a specific business challenge, Pay It Forward connects you with established industry professionals for face-to-face, one-to-one mentorship. It's a chance to get advice from people who have already worked through the challenges you're facing. Sessions are 15 minutes long and take place at the Pay It Forward Lounge in Hall 3, from 18 to 20 November, 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Come with one specific question or challenge, and leave with focused, practical advice.

Launched in May 2026, the Young Talent Programme for AI in Finance (YTP-AIF) is a pilot initiative that builds a pipeline of future-ready talent for an AI-enabled financial sector. By combining formal education with structured industry exposure, the programme equips students with in-demand AI and financial sector skills through hands-on learning and real-world industry challenges. As part of the programme, students will work in teams to develop and pitch practical solutions to problem statements contributed by industry partners, with guidance from industry mentors. The top five teams will showcase their ideas on the Catalyst Stage on 19 November.

Panel of Judges:
1. Deep Thomas, Chief Data and AI Officer, JP Morgan
2. Chen Wei, Group Head of Data and AI, Great Eastern
3. Medhi Bechinam, Head of Digital Solutions- Distribution. Prudential
4. Wu Wei, Executive Director and Data Scientist Team Lead, DBS
5. Queiroz Batista Da Silva Carlos Alexandre, Managing Director, Technology Architecture, OCBC
6. Ng Hsiao Piau, Head of Innovation Research, UOB
7. Wacdany Rojas, Head of Business Platforms APAC, Schroders
8. Satish Krishnan, Regional Head of APAC Global Markets Operations Engineering and Global Co-Head of Securities Post Trade Engineering. Goldman Sachs
9. Jessie Cheing, Chief People Officer, Manulife