Confidential AI for Banking: Open Models, Frontier Labs and Secure Deployment

AI use in banking increasingly depends on where sensitive data is processed, who controls the model, and how outputs can be audited. This executive breakfast explores the trade-offs between frontier models, open models and confidential deployment, with a focus on data protection, banking secrecy, outsourcing risk and practical governance.

+++ This event is part of the Zurich AI Festival, taking place from September 28 to October 3, 2026. Zurich AI Festival unites the minds building the future - visionary founders, bold investors, and tech leaders shaping tomorrow. Connect to tomorrow!

Zurich AI Festival is a flagship initiative presented by ETH AI Center, Greater Zurich Area, the City of Zurich, the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Tourism, and supported by leading partners from academia, industry, government and the broader AI ecosystem.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Zurich AI Festival TeamAgenda

08:25–08:40 | Welcome Coffee08:40–08:45 | Introduction08:45–09:20 | Panel 1 – The Technology09:20–09:30 | Break09:30–10:15 | Panel 2 – Governance & Accountability10:15–11:00 | Networking Breakfast

Speakers

Panel 1 – The Technology

Dr. Imanol Schlag: AI Research Scientist, ETH AI Center & Co-Lead of Apertus

Kevin Schawinski: CEO & Co-Founder, Modulos

Christian Pala: Senior NLP Engineer, Tech Lead UBS Account, Artificialy

Nino Antulov-Fantulin: Head of R&D, Aisot Tech.; Adj. Assoc. Prof. (PD), ETH Zurich

Moderator: Thomas Kuster: Partner, LEXR

Panel 2 – Governance & Accountability

Katharina Fulterer-Burkart: Partner Data & AI, Eraneos

Tiphanie Rechl: Vice Chair of Transversal Commission for Artificial Intelligence, SAFS

Nicolas Brügger: Head Innovation Desk, State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF)

Christian Büchel: Co-Chief Data & AI Officer, Delivery Lead und Product Manager, LGT

Moderator: Dr. Stephan D. Meyer: Partner, LEXR