Technological change keeps the market economy in motion. It reshapes how goods and services are produced and distributed, as well as how firms and industries are structured.

The Technology-Enabled Disruption Conference series seeks to provide a better understanding of emerging and ongoing technological innovations, and explore their economic implications for the broader economy. This includes exploring how technology-enabled disruption impacts businesses, workers, and consumers – along with broader impacts on the overall economy and economic opportunity.

This year’s event is the seventh in the conference series and will focus on how technology innovations are disrupting the financial industry, how technology continues to shape the future of finance and payments, and what these advancements could mean for financial inclusion.

Topics

Fintech Disruption: How are groundbreaking innovations disrupting the financial industry?

From AI and blockchain to real-time payment platforms and decentralized finance solutions, disruptive innovations are reshaping how financial services are delivered, accessed, and experienced. This session offers a unique opportunity to witness first-hand how cutting-edge technologies are challenging traditional models. The discussion will highlight real-world applications, the challenges of implementation, and measurable impacts on the market.

Key questions to be addressed in this session include: How do Fintech innovations enhance customer experiences, improve operational efficiency, and foster greater financial inclusion? What emerging technologies are poised to further disrupt financial services over the next decade? And are firms equipped to incorporate transformative technologies?

Emerging Payments: What are the prospective impacts of emerging payment technologies?

Evolving payment technologies are driving faster transactions and new products into the financial services landscape. This session will discuss how emerging payment platforms – such as instant payments, “Buy Now, Pay Later” options, and stablecoins – impact financial institutions and consumers. It will bring together industry experts in emerging payments to discuss the current and future direction of payment innovation.

Questions to be considered in this session include: What new markets are being created, and which industry sectors are impacted? What new risks are being introduced, and how are firms mitigating them? And how do emerging payments influence global markets?

The Research Perspective: How does technology affect financial inclusion?

Consumers who lack the means to access online financial services – such as payments, credit, savings, and insurance – cannot fully participate in an increasingly digitized economy. Can technology enhance financial inclusion?

New developments, such as Fintech and “Buy Now, Pay Later” platforms, provide more options for consumers and businesses. But are they accessible to all? What are the implications of new financial technology for privacy and security?

This session will bring together experts researching the impacts of technology on financial inclusion. It will foster a dynamic discussion on how to harness innovation while safeguarding trust, resilience, and fairness in the evolving financial and payments ecosystems.

Keynote Discussion: A Conversation with Federal Reserve Bank Presidents

Join us for a discussion with the presidents of cosponsoring Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, Richmond, and Atlanta. This session will be livestreamed.

• Susan Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
• Tom Barkin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Raphael Bostic, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Contact

• General inquiries: Ken White, ken.white@bos.frb.org
• Media inquiries: media@bos.frb.org

Registration opens in September 2025

Past Conferences

• 2024 Technology-Enabled Disruption Conference: Implications of AI, Big Data, and Remote Work | Atlanta Fed
• 2023 Technology-Enabled Disruption Conference: Uncertainty and Prospects for Disruptive Investments | Richmond Fed
• 2022 Technology-Enabled Disruption: Disruptions from the Pandemic and the Path Ahead | Atlanta Fed
• 2021 Technology-Enabled Disruption: Implications for Business, Labor Markets and Monetary Policy | Dallas Fed
• 2019 Technology-Enabled Disruption: Implications for Business, Labor Markets and Monetary Policy | Dallas Fed
• 2018 Technology-Enabled Disruption: Implications for Business, Labor Markets and Monetary Policy | Dallas Fed