Emerging Technology Risks: AI, Cloud, Blockchain and Digital Finance

The rapid advancement of emerging technologies is fundamentally transforming the way organisations operate, deliver services, manage information and interact with customers. Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, blockchain and digital financial technologies are increasingly being adopted by banks, fintechs, insurance companies, telecommunications firms, government institutions and other businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs, automate processes and create new products and services.

However, these technologies also introduce new and increasingly complex risks. AI can create risks relating to biased or inaccurate decisions, data privacy, model governance, cybersecurity and lack of transparency. Cloud adoption can expose organisations to third-party dependency, data breaches, service disruption, access-control weaknesses and regulatory challenges. Blockchain and distributed-ledger technologies introduce risks involving smart contracts, digital assets, wallet security, money laundering, data privacy and technology vulnerabilities. The rapid growth of digital finance also increases exposure to fraud, cyberattacks, operational failures, consumer protection issues and systemic risks.

These developments have made technology risk management an essential component of modern enterprise risk management. In Nigeria, the importance of this subject is particularly significant as financial institutions and fintechs increasingly adopt AI, digital payments, cloud infrastructure, data-driven credit assessment and virtual-asset solutions. The CBN's current regulatory sandbox, for example, specifically covers virtual assets, stablecoins, digital wallets, data-enabled financial services, fraud prevention, real-time risk analytics and digital financial innovation.

The course therefore provides a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with emerging technologies and equips participants with practical approaches for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating these risks while supporting responsible innovation.

Course Objectives

At the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, blockchain and digital finance.
2. Examine how emerging technologies are transforming traditional business and financial-service models.
3. Identify the major technology, operational, financial, cyber, regulatory and strategic risks associated with emerging technologies.
4. Assess the risks associated with AI adoption, including algorithmic bias, model risk, data quality, privacy, explainability and inappropriate automated decision-making.
5. Understand the major risks associated with cloud computing, including third-party dependency, data security, access management, service availability and concentration risk.
6. Examine blockchain and distributed-ledger technology risks, including smart-contract vulnerabilities, digital-asset risks, fraud, cybersecurity and regulatory risks.
7. Evaluate the emerging risks associated with digital financial services, fintech and electronic payment systems.
8. Develop effective frameworks for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating emerging technology risks.
9. Understand the relationship between technology risk, cybersecurity, operational resilience and business continuity.
10. Examine the role of governance, risk appetite, internal controls and regulatory compliance in managing emerging technology risks.
11. Understand how organisations can manage third-party and technology-vendor risks arising from dependence on cloud providers, fintech partners and technology platforms.
12. Develop practical strategies for balancing technological innovation with effective risk management.
13. Understand current regulatory and supervisory considerations affecting emerging technologies and digital finance in Nigeria.
14. Strengthen organisational capacity to respond to technology-related incidents, disruptions and emerging threats.
15. Develop a forward-looking approach to identifying new and emerging technology risks before they become material threats.

Benefits of the Course

Participants will gain the following benefits:

• Better Understanding of Emerging Technology Risks: Participants will develop a clear understanding of the opportunities and risks created by AI, cloud, blockchain and digital finance.
• Improved Risk Identification & Assessment: The programme will enable participants to identify technology-related risks early and assess their potential impact on business operations.
• Stronger AI Risk Management: Participants will understand how to identify and manage risks associated with AI-powered systems, automated decision-making, machine learning and data-driven models.
• Improved Cloud Risk Management: Participants will learn how to evaluate cloud-related risks, including data security, vendor dependency, service availability, access controls and regulatory compliance.
• Better Blockchain & Digital-Asset Risk Awareness: Participants will understand the major risks associated with blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets and distributed-ledger technologies.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity & Operational Resilience: The course will help organisations strengthen their ability to prevent, detect and respond to technology-related incidents.
• Stronger Regulatory Compliance: Participants will gain greater awareness of regulatory considerations surrounding digital finance, technology risk, cybersecurity, data protection and emerging financial technologies.
• Improved Third-Party Risk Management: Participants will be better equipped to evaluate risks arising from technology vendors, cloud providers, fintech partnerships and outsourced technology services.
• Better Decision-Making by Management: Senior executives and risk professionals will be better positioned to evaluate technology investments and understand their associated risk implications.
• Support for Responsible Innovation: The course helps organisations pursue digital transformation without exposing themselves unnecessarily to excessive operational, regulatory, financial or reputational risks.
• Enhanced Risk Governance: Participants will understand how boards, senior management, risk functions, IT departments, compliance teams and internal audit can work together to manage emerging technology risks.
• Competitive Advantage: Organisations that understand and manage emerging technology risks effectively can adopt new technologies more confidently while maintaining customer trust and regulatory compliance.

Who Should Attend?

This programme is suitable for professionals involved in risk management, technology, finance, compliance, governance, cybersecurity and digital transformation, including:

1. Financial Institutions

• Commercial banks
• Microfinance banks
• Fintech companies
• Payment Service Providers (PSPs)
• Digital banks
• Investment firms
• Insurance companies
• Pension institutions
• Development finance institutions

• Other financial institutions

1. Risk & Governance Professionals

• Chief Risk Officers
• Risk Managers
• Enterprise Risk Managers
• Operational Risk Managers
• Technology Risk Managers
• Risk Analysts
• Compliance Managers
• Compliance Officers

• Governance professionals
• Internal Control professionals
• Internal Auditors
• External Auditors

1. Technology Professionals

• Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
• Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
• IT Managers
• IT Risk Officers
• Cybersecurity professionals
• Data Governance professionals
• Data Protection Officers
• AI/ML professionals
• Digital Transformation Managers
• Cloud/Infrastructure Managers

1. Senior Management & Decision Makers

• Board Members
• CEOs
• Executive Directors
• Managing Directors
• General Managers
• Heads of Departments
• Strategy Directors
• Digital Transformation Executives

1. Other Relevant Participants

• Regulators and supervisors
• Government officials and policymakers
• Fintech entrepreneurs
• Technology consultants
• Legal and regulatory professionals
• Business continuity professionals
• Project managers
• Financial analysts
• Academics and researchers.

Course Booking

Please use the "Book Now" or "Inquire" buttons on this page to reserve your space or request for more information