AI dominant in funding investments

Artificial intelligence is dominant in funding global investments, according to speakers participating in the "Funding the Future of Emerging Technologies" panel discussion under the 2025 Asian Financial Forum that kicked off in Hong Kong on Monday.

Funding the Future of Emerging Technologies, a session with global perspective under the 2025 AFF, aims to explore the evolving application of emerging technologies and the latest investment appetite of venture capitalists, as a new wave of technologies poised to disrupt the world emerges with the acceleration of AI.

Abdulrahman A. Alolayan, founder and managing partner of Beta Lab, which is a venture capital firm based in Saudi Arabia, said during the panel discussion that AI is currently dominant in global investments, with over $100 billion being poured in AI-driven sectors around the world.

Talking about Saudi Arabia's investment in AI, Alolayan said that the Saudi leadership has taken AI investment very seriously by launching a national strategy to promote AI, not only in the region but also on a global scale. Saudi Arabia aims to make substantial investments in emerging technology fields based on AI over the next 20 years, including areas such as biotechnology, he added.

Johnny Chan, chief investment officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co Ltd, said that he has witnessed AI permeating every aspect of global investment, particularly in funding the sectors driven by emerging technologies, like biotech and fintech.

AI-driven autonomy and mobility are rapidly on the rise, bringing significant changes to people's lives, Chan added.

Ronald Simorangkir, chief executive officer of Mandiri Capital Indonesia, said that their primary strategy for AI investment focuses on various payment solutions, aiming to bring dynamism to investment through AI technologies. The government of Indonesia is also keen on advancing digital currency through the help of AI, he added.

The key to enhancing investment value lies in leveraging technologies, especially those driven by AI, Simorangkir said. Back in 2015 and 2016, peer-to-peer lending gained traction, but now challenges have come to the forefront, particularly in the fintech space, he said.

In terms of investment, companies in Saudi Arabia now have a wider array of options for fintech, and the innovation landscape is evolving toward survival with the support of AI, rather than merely focusing on growth. Investment is undoubtedly maturing with the integration of AI, he explained.

Aysar Tayeb, executive managing director of Prosperity7 Ventures, said that eventually, all financial managers will be using AI that will help them to make a big leap in various kinds of investments.