Where Ideas Became Collaborations
Between 2020 and 2024, the COST FinAI network hosted 52 meetings, 7 training schools, and 2 flagship conferences in Bern. But the real measure of these gatherings wasn't attendance figures - it was what happened afterward: partnerships with ING Group and Deutsche Borse, 20+ completed PhDs, and research cited more than 10,000 times.
Each event was designed with a purpose beyond presentation. Working group meetings generated research agendas. Training schools built skills and networks simultaneously. And the annual conferences in Bern brought the entire community together to see how far they'd come - and plan where to go next.
Hosting back-to-back European conferences in Bern wasn't accidental - it was strategic. As both SNSF project PI and COST Action Chair, Prof. Osterrieder could leverage Swiss infrastructure for European benefit while showcasing Swiss financial AI research to a continental audience.
8th European Conference on AI in Finance
September 2024 - Bern University of Applied Sciences
The final major COST event before the Action's conclusion. Researchers presented four years of collaborative work, celebrated completed PhDs, and discussed how to sustain the network beyond formal funding.
Key themes: Regulatory AI, sustainable finance, digital asset governance
7th European Conference on AI in Finance
September 2023 - Bern University of Applied Sciences
The first COST conference during the SNSF project period. Industry partners from Deutsche Borse and ING Group attended, laying groundwork for data partnerships that would shape SNSF research.
Key outcome: Deutsche Borse HFT data partnership initiated
"Hosting back-to-back European conferences created momentum that individual institutions couldn't achieve alone. When 200 researchers from 40 countries come to Bern, Switzerland becomes visible on the FinAI map."
Training schools weren't just lectures - they were intensive, week-long immersions designed to build both skills and networks. Each school brought together 10-22 early career researchers for hands-on training with leading experts.
Tirana 2023
April 26-28 - University of Tirana
"Bringing FinAI expertise to Albania for the first time" - 15 participants, primarily local researchers gaining exposure to European network methods.
ITC capacity building
Twente PhD School 2024
June 10-14 - University of Twente
Intensive 5-day program with Prof. Wolfgang Hardle teaching 15 doctoral students. Gabin Taibi (SNSF PhD) participated, connecting Swiss research to the broader network.
Generative AI & LLMs in Finance
Naples 2024
September 5-7 - University of Naples
22 participants from 11 countries - the largest and most diverse training school. Focus on financial inclusion brought together researchers studying markets often overlooked.
Financial Inclusion & Inequality
96 researchers trained across 7 schools. Training topics evolved with the field - from blockchain fundamentals in 2021 to generative AI in 2024. Each school included not just lectures but collaborative projects, ensuring participants left with both skills and co-authors.
COST events weren't just academic. Industry partners attended conferences, presented at meetings, and eventually became research collaborators. The network deliberately cultivated these relationships, recognizing that academic-industry bridges produce research that actually gets used.
ING Group (Netherlands)
Early warning credit systems. Representatives attended multiple COST events before formalizing research partnership. Now collaborating on AI-driven risk assessment.
Deutsche Borse (Germany)
HFT data partnerships. Dr. Stefan Schlamp's connections through COST led to nanosecond trading data access for SNSF project research.
iFactor (Romania)
AI risk assessment tools. ITC company engagement demonstrating that innovation isn't limited to Western European markets.
OTP Bank (Hungary)
Blockchain and digital assets R&D. Central European bank bringing regulatory and practical perspectives to academic research.
"The value of a COST meeting isn't measured in coffee breaks - it's measured in the collaborations that outlast the funding period. Every industry partner now working with the network met us first at a COST event."
52 meetings across 5 grant periods created a rhythm. Working groups met quarterly; the Management Committee convened to set direction; training schools marked each academic year. Even pandemic disruption (GP2: only 4 meetings) couldn't break the pattern - the network adapted with virtual formats and emerged stronger.
GP1 (2020-21)
Launch momentum
GP2 (Pandemic)
COVID disruption
GP3 (2022)
Recovery & hybrid
GP4 (2023)
SNSF overlap
GP5 (2024)
Strong finish