On April 17, 2026, the Lam Family College of Business's Lam-Larsen Emerging Technologies and Fintech Initiatives, led by Professors Niel Shahrasbi and Todd Feldman, respectively, with support from Professor Sameer Verma, and in partnership with BlackRock in San Francisco, co-hosted the Emerging Technologies and Fintech Conference. More than 90 students, alumni, and faculty gathered for a day of insightful discussion, hands-on learning, and industry engagement centered on the theme, “How AI is Reshaping Finance, Markets, and the Future of Work.”
The conference opened with a keynote address from Thomas Becker, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Global Tactical Asset Allocation at BlackRock, who shared a thoughtful perspective on where artificial intelligence is creating meaningful value and where expectations have yet to match reality. Attendees also heard from industry leaders across two expert panels focused on AI implementation, business transformation, risk management, governance, and trust.
In addition to the panel discussions, participants experienced technology demonstrations from BlackRock professionals and student project showcases highlighting innovative, applied AI solutions.
SFSU alumnus Jairo Garcia at BlackRock and Thomas Becker played vital roles in helping to make this impactful event possible.