Dr. Sritharan appointed Global Validation Chair for Asian Digital Finance Awards 2025

Dr. Sivaguru S. Sritharan

The Asian Digital Finance Forum & Awards 2025, an anchor initiative of the Asia International Digital Economy & AI in Finance Summit at Port City Colombo, is led by Global Validation Chair Dr. Sivaguru S. Sritharan—an internationally renowned aerodynamicist and AI research leader.

Drawing on decades of expertise at the intersection of defense innovation, mathematical science, and strategic technologies, Dr. Sritharan is establishing a rigorous, interdisciplinary framework to evaluate leading candidates from across Asia and beyond.

He currently serves as Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of QuantSafe Inc., a deep-tech venture spun out from New York-based Wall Street Fintech AI Inc. His distinguished public service career includes senior leadership roles as Provost and Vice Chancellor of the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, Chair of Applied Mathematics and Dean of Engineering at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and Director of the Science & Technology Branch at the U.S. Naval Information Warfare Systems Command—where he advanced AI, control theory, and complex systems engineering.

He also founded the Center for Decision, Risk, Controls and Signals Intelligence (DRCSI) at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, dedicated to exploring future U.S. Department of Defense technology trends through mathematical and interdisciplinary research.

Under his leadership, the global validation process applies rigorous, cross-border standards to recognise transformative contributions in AI-powered finance.

The 2025 Awards will honor outstanding individuals and institutions shaping the future of finance through responsible, inclusive, and impactful AI applications. Focus areas include AI for Financial Inclusion, Ethical AI Governance, and Emerging Leadership in AI & Finance. The awards spotlight excellence in these domains, recognizing Asian innovators—including Sri Lankan digital finance leaders—driving cross-border finance and inclusion.

Honorees are selected through a meticulous process involving Generative AI-powered research and independent validation by Dr. Sritharan.

The awards ceremony will be held on October 23 at Port City Colombo, under the summit theme: “Bridging Intelligence, Inclusion and Innovation in Asia’s Financial Future.”