The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning in data analysis, coupled with the expansion of financial services through fintech, is reshaping the financial industry at an unprecedented pace. Leading companies are leveraging these technologies to enhance efficiency and create greater value for their customers.

Ahead of the Doing Digital Forum in Yerevan on April 3, we spoke with Ofelia Aghakaryan, Senior Executive Officer at Apricot Capital DIFC Limited, based in Dubai, UAE, to explore the transformative trends and their broader impact.

- You have an impressive 17-year career both in public and private sectors across Armenia, Canada, and the Middle East. What were the key turning points that shaped your professional journey?

- It’s tricky to pinpoint exact turning points, as my 17-year career has been shaped by diverse experiences across continents and sectors. If I must, I’d start with my early role at Armenia’s Central Bank - a formative ‘school’ where I learned to work with regulation and policymaking in emerging markets.

Moving to Canada’s private sector marked my shift from local to global, broadening my perspective. Later, working in the Middle East taught me to excel in fast-paced, complex settings while valuing cultural nuances.

Each transition - geographic and sectoral - developed my ability to balance innovation with stability. Joining Apricot Capital DIFC Limited was a milestone, letting me bring together these lessons to help position our company as a leading investment firm in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). These experiences taught me that endurance, cross-cultural insight, and lifelong learning are key to leadership today.

- The financial sector is evolving rapidly with digital transformation. From your perspective, what are the most significant shifts shaping the future of financial services?

- Indeed, technology is transforming finance at an unprecedented pace. For me, two shifts stand out: rapid data analysis driven by AI and machine learning, and the democratization of access to financial services through fintech. Not long ago, opening a brokerage account or placing an order meant visiting a broker in person. Today, anyone with a smartphone and internet can access the markets in real time, dismantling barriers and bringing investing to underserved communities. These changes are more than technological - they’re cultural. Clients now expect financial institutions to offer the freedom to view and manage portfolios from the comfort of home. At Apricot Capital, we’re embracing these advancements to ensure our services align with modern demands, delivering convenience, efficiency, and inclusivity.

In my opinion, the future of finance lies in meeting and exceeding these expectations while using technology to enhance how clients interact with and benefit from financial opportunities.

- Apricot Capital positions itself as a platform of choice for smart investors. How do you see emerging technologies making investment decisions smarter and more accessible?  

- Apricot Capital is an ecosystem of leading investment firms operating in Armenia, Dubai, and Hong Kong. We view emerging technologies as tools that help optimize how we create value for our clients. By integrating cutting-edge technology across our operations, we ensure our investors have direct access to investment platforms with real-time account performance monitoring, to enable better informed decision making for our diverse, global clientele.

- As the financial world goes increasingly digital, cybersecurity threats and regulatory challenges are growing more complex. In your experience, what’s the best way for financial institutions and investors to stay ahead of these risks?

- Digitalization in finance brings convenience and opportunities but also carries risks. In my experience, a proactive, comprehensive approach is key to mitigate them. Regular cybersecurity audits and adherence to standards like ISO/IEC 27001 are becoming industry norms. Equally crucial is cultivating vigilance - training staff and clients to identify phishing or fraud attempts.

For investors, awareness is vital; understanding risks like data breaches enables safer decisions. Partnering with licensed financial institutions also enhances data and asset safety. At Apricot Capital, we align with industry best practices to safeguard our operations and clients, protecting their data and mitigating risks effectively. Staying ahead requires blending rigorous standards, ongoing awareness, and trusted partnerships to maintain security and confidence in an increasingly digital financial landscape.

- What can we expect from your speech at the Doing Digital Forum? And why do you think this event is a must-attend for industry professionals?

- I won’t reveal too much, but at the Doing Digital Forum on April 3, I’ll join fellow industry leaders to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping finance. Expect thought-provoking discussions on this year’s timely theme, “The Future of Money.” In a world where digital adoption is inevitable, this event offers an opportunity to hear from thought leaders and experts across industries sharing ideas that will soon define our present. The fast-paced nature of today’s landscape demands staying updated, and forums like DDF provide a platform to learn, reflect, and ask the right questions. I’m excited to contribute to this conversation.

Since its launch in 2023, the Doing Digital Forum has brought together over 40 distinguished speakers and more than 2,000 participants from Armenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Germany, Australia, and CIS countries. This year, the forum returns for its third edition under the title “The Money of the Future: Economic Impact.”

The organizer of the Doing Digital forum is SPRING PR. Amazon Web Services is the forum’s Technology partner. For the third consecutive year, Visa is the forum’s Innovation Partner, Apricot Capital is the Investment Partner and Fastex is the Blockchain Partner. As in DDF24, Arca continues to be the National Partner of the forum this year.