Forging Strategic Alliances: Advancing Fintech Innovation And Narrowing The AI Talent Gap Through Industry

Report by Singapore Management University following a roundtable discussion which took place during the Japan FinTech Festival

20 May 2024 - In the dynamic landscape of FinTech, collaboration between industry and academia plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and addressing the pressing AI talent shortage in Japan and beyond. This roundtable delved into strategies and best practices for forming strategic partnerships among FinTech startups, industry leaders, and academic institutions to foster innovation and cultivate a skilled workforce in artificial intelligence (AI). Participants explored how academic institutions can facilitate such partnerships through several key themes:

 Theme 1: Prioritising early talent development and offering opportunities for continuous upskilling and reskilling.

 Theme 2: Fostering partnerships across the FinTech industry to facilitate talent exchange and the infusion of best practices, enhancing the overall competitiveness and sustainability of the sector.

 Theme 3: Fostering a human-centric FinTech culture: academic partnerships for inclusion, diversity, and mental 
wellness.

 Theme 4: Forging collaborations with government agencies to leverage resources and expertise, driving initiatives that support talent development and address the evolving needs of the FinTech ecosystem.

 These themes underscored the critical role of collaboration facilitated by academic institutions in advancing the FinTech industry and building a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and growth in AI.

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