Annual Summit 2026

Annual C:\>DIR Summit 2026
Digital Regulation in the Era of Agentic AI 

On 18 September 2026, C:\>DIR convened its inaugural annual Summit at Downing College, University of Cambridge, bringing together senior regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, academics and experts from around the world. 

Co-hosted by C:\>DIR Co-Convenors Agustín Carstens and Gillian Tett, the Summit examined one of the defining questions facing policymakers today: can our institutions keep pace with an economy increasingly shaped by AI and autonomous systems? 

Governing an AI economy

  • What happens when autonomous systems begin initiating transactions, and where should responsibility and accountability sit?

  • How should financial supervision evolve as institutions become increasingly reliant on autonomous systems?

  • How can jurisdictions outside the major AI powers build effective policy tools and retain influence over technologies they did not build and do not control?

  • How can authorities coordinate when AI-enabled risks cut across traditional sectors, mandates and institutional boundaries?

  • What digital public infrastructure is needed to ensure that the benefits of AI are broadly shared rather than deepening existing forms of exclusion?

The Summit brought together perspectives from across finance, technology and public policy to explore how the rise of agentic AI is changing the relationship between institutions, markets and regulation.

The opening conversation between Agustín Carstens, Ashley Alder and Gillian Tett considered whether existing institutions can govern an AI economy, and the changing nature of trust in an environment shaped by technological and geopolitical change.

Subsequent sessions throughout the day examined some of the practical questions emerging from this shift:

Institutions, not code? 

A highlight of the day was a ‘Cambridge Union-style' debate on the proposition: “This House Believes That Institutions, not Code, Should Govern Money.”

The debate explored whether trust in money and financial systems ultimately depends on accountable institutions, or whether code and decentralised networks can sustain that trust on their own. 

From ideas to action

The Summit also showcased the finalists of the C:\>DIR Global Agentic Regulator Hackathon, bringing practical examples of technology-enabled regulatory innovation into the discussion.

The Hackathon showcase provided an opportunity for finalists’ prototype ideas to be presented to the Summit audience, connecting the Summit's broader policy discussions with concrete ideas for how technology might be applied to regulatory challenges. 

Looking ahead

The inaugural Summit marked the beginning of C:\>DIR's annual global convening on the future of digital regulation. The discussions in Cambridge highlighted a common challenge: technological change is increasingly crossing the boundaries between traditional regulatory mandates. Responding effectively will require not only new rules and supervisory approaches, but stronger institutional capabilities, better coordination and continued dialogue between public authorities, industry and other stakeholders.

C:\>DIR is now developing its 2027 programme, building on the conversations and relationships established through the inaugural Summit. Further details about the 2027 Summit will be announced in due course.