A new 19-month research initiative bridging Switzerland and the MENA region to advance AI in banking, insurance, and investment.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the research project “AI for Digital Finance: Swiss-MENA Research Network” (Grant CCG-2025-05), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) through the Leading House MENA program, administered by HES-SO. The project runs from January 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 (19 months) and is led by Prof. Dr. Joerg Osterrieder (Fachhochschule Graubünden, FHGR, Switzerland) together with Dr. Stephen Chan, Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang, and Dr. Hana Sulieman (American University of Sharjah, UAE).
The initiative builds on a decade-long research collaboration that has produced six joint publications with over 4,600 combined citations. It brings together 13 partner institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to advance the application of artificial intelligence in banking, insurance, investment, and financial regulation. A major international conference is planned for early February 2027 at the American University of Sharjah, UAE.
Why this matters for Switzerland: The Swiss financial sector contributes approximately 10% of GDP. Half of Swiss financial institutions already use AI, and 91% of those have adopted generative AI. With UBS running 300+ AI projects and FINMA issuing formal AI governance guidance in 2024, Switzerland is at a critical juncture. This project strengthens Swiss research leadership in AI-driven finance and builds lasting bridges to one of the world’s fastest-growing financial regions.
Research topics include AI-based fraud detection and blockchain security, risk management and extreme event modeling, financial inclusion through alternative credit scoring, large language models (LLMs) for financial analysis, cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) analytics, and explainable AI for regulatory compliance.
Wir freuen uns, den Start des Forschungsprojekts «AI for Digital Finance: Swiss-MENA Research Network» (Grant CCG-2025-05) bekanntzugeben. Das Projekt wird vom Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation (SBFI) über das Programm Leading House MENA finanziert, das von der HES-SO verwaltet wird. Die Projektlaufzeit erstreckt sich vom 1. Januar 2026 bis zum 31. Juli 2027 (19 Monate). Die Leitung liegt bei Prof. Dr. Joerg Osterrieder (Fachhochschule Graubünden, FHGR, Schweiz) gemeinsam mit Dr. Stephen Chan, Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang und Dr. Hana Sulieman (American University of Sharjah, VAE).
Die Initiative baut auf einer jahrzehntelangen Forschungskooperation auf, die sechs gemeinsame Publikationen mit über 4’600 kombinierten Zitationen hervorgebracht hat. Sie vereint 13 Partnerinstitutionen aus Europa, dem Nahen Osten und Asien, um den Einsatz künstlicher Intelligenz im Banken-, Versicherungs-, Anlage- und Regulierungsbereich voranzutreiben. Eine grosse internationale Konferenz ist für Anfang Februar 2027 an der American University of Sharjah (VAE) geplant.
Bedeutung für die Schweiz: Der Schweizer Finanzsektor trägt rund 10% zum BIP bei. Die Hälfte der Schweizer Finanzinstitute setzt bereits KI ein, und 91% davon nutzen generative KI. Während die UBS über 300 KI-Projekte betreibt und die FINMA 2024 formelle Leitlinien zur KI-Governance veröffentlicht hat, befindet sich die Schweiz an einem entscheidenden Wendepunkt. Dieses Projekt stärkt die Schweizer Forschungsführerschaft im Bereich KI-gestützter Finanzwirtschaft und baut dauerhafte Brücken zu einer der am schnellsten wachsenden Finanzregionen der Welt.
Forschungsthemen umfassen KI-basierte Betrugserkennung und Blockchain-Sicherheit, Risikomanagement und Modellierung extremer Ereignisse, finanzielle Inklusion durch alternative Kreditbewertung, grosse Sprachmodelle (LLMs) für die Finanzanalyse, Kryptowährungs- und DeFi-Analytik sowie erklärbare KI für die regulatorische Compliance.
Switzerland's financial sector accounts for around 10% of GDP and is being rapidly transformed by AI. Half of Swiss financial institutions already use AI today. This project ensures Swiss researchers stay at the forefront of this revolution.
AI already protects your credit card from fraud, helps decide your loan application, and manages retirement savings for millions. Research like this makes those systems better, fairer, and safer.
With 85% of financial firms now using AI, the research produced by this international network directly feeds into the products and safeguards that protect the global financial system.
Advancing AI methods to catch financial criminals on blockchain networks and in traditional banking systems.
Better mathematical models for understanding extreme market events and protecting investors from systemic shocks.
Using AI to bring financial services to the 1.4 billion unbanked people worldwide who currently lack access.
Understanding the economics of cryptocurrencies, DeFi, and NFTs through rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific analysis.
| Grant Reference | CCG-2025-05 |
| Funded by | SERI / Leading House MENA (administered by HES-SO) |
| Project Period | January 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 |
| Duration | 19 months |
| Conference | Early February 2027, American University of Sharjah, UAE |