Hisham Okasha: Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Risk Management and Transforming It into a Strategic Driver of Sustainable Growth
Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, said artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the future of banking risk management, shifting its role from a traditional oversight function into a strategic partner supporting sustainable growth, operational resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
Speaking during the 8th Annual Forum of Heads of Risk Management Departments in Arab Banks, held in Alexandria under the theme “Leadership in Risk Management: From Oversight to Foresight,” Okasha highlighted the growing impact of AI and advanced analytics on the banking sector’s ability to predict risks, improve decision-making, and respond more effectively to rapidly evolving economic and technological challenges.
He noted that the banking industry is currently witnessing unprecedented transformations driven by accelerating digitalization, the expansion of fintech ecosystems, and increasing reliance on data-driven business models, making advanced risk management capabilities more critical than ever before.
According to Okasha, artificial intelligence technologies are enabling financial institutions to move beyond traditional reactive models toward predictive and proactive risk management frameworks capable of identifying potential threats before they materialize.
He explained that AI-powered systems are increasingly being used to analyze massive volumes of financial and operational data in real time, helping banks strengthen fraud detection, enhance cybersecurity, improve credit assessment models, and optimize compliance and governance processes.
Okasha stressed that risk management departments today play a broader strategic role within banking institutions, contributing directly to business planning, growth strategies, investment decisions, and sustainability frameworks rather than functioning solely as control units.
“The future of banking will depend on institutions capable of integrating technology, predictive intelligence, and strategic flexibility into their risk management frameworks,” Okasha stated, emphasizing that AI has become a core enabler of sustainable growth and institutional resilience.
He also highlighted the importance of investing in human capital and developing new generations of banking professionals equipped with digital, analytical, and technological capabilities capable of managing increasingly complex financial environments.
The Banque Misr CEO further pointed to the growing importance of balancing technological innovation with strong governance frameworks and ethical standards, particularly as financial institutions accelerate AI adoption across critical operational areas.
Okasha noted that Arab banking sectors are facing a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, cybersecurity threats, digital financial crimes, climate-related risks, and changing customer expectations, requiring institutions to adopt more adaptive and forward-looking operational models.
He concluded by emphasizing that successful banks in the coming years will be those capable of transforming risk management into a strategic engine supporting innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth while maintaining strong governance and operational stability.