MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Economics, Finance & Risk Systems x BAFA South-East Area Group Webinar | The Economics of AI: Understanding the Value of Data, 16 October 2026

This webinar is hosted by MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Economics, Finance and Risk Systems in collaboration with the British Accounting and Finance Association, South-East Area group. It focuses on the theme: “The Economics of AI: Understanding the Value of Data Input”. As data has become a vital production factor alongside traditional capital and labor, artificial intelligence is reshaping corporate decision-making, financial market dynamics, firm valuation, and macroeconomic outcomes.

Bringing together three distinguished scholars—Prof. Monomita Nandy, Prof. Laura Veldkamp and Prof. Douglas J. Cumming—this session bridges macro data-driven economic theory, fintech innovation, digital market governance and empirical finance research. Speakers will deliver interactive presentations exploring core questions including how data generates economic value, measurement obstacles within AI-enabled financial systems, regulatory implications for digital finance, and emerging research frontiers at the intersection of artificial intelligence, corporate finance, and risk. The webinar will conclude with an open interactive Q&A to facilitate cross-disciplinary discussion among attendees.

Keywords: AI economics; data value; financial analytics; macroeconomics; digital economy
Date: 16 October 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. CEST| 2:00 p.m. BST | 9:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 843 1104 5697
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Cluster-18

Program:

Speaker/Presentation	Time in CEST	Time in BST	Time in EDT
Ms. Dunja Tripkovic (Host) Journal Introduction	3:00–3:10 p.m.	2:00–2:10 p.m.	9:00–9:10 a.m.
Prof. Dr. Monomita Nandy (Chair) Chair Introduction	3:10–3:20 p.m.	2:10–2:20 p.m.	9:10–9:20 a.m.
Prof. Dr. Laura L. Veldkamp Valuing Data	3:20–3:40 p.m.	2:20–2:40 p.m.	9:20–9:40 a.m.
Prof. Dr. Douglas J. Cumming How Generative AI Reshapes ESG Information Disclosure: Evidence from Image–Text Congruence	3:40–4:00 p.m.	2:40–3:00 p.m.	9:40–10:00 a.m.
Q&A Session	4:00–4:15 p.m.	3:00–3:15 p.m.	10:00–10:15 a.m.
Prof. Dr. Monomita Nandy Closing of Webinar	4:15–4:25 p.m.	3:15–3:25 p.m.	10:15–10:25 a.m.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with further information on joining the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to view.

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Monomita Nandy, Brunel University of London, London, UK;
Prof. Dr. Laura L Veldkamp, Columbia University, New York, USA;
Prof. Dr. Douglas J. Cumming, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA.