Sharmista Appaya

Sharmista Appaya

Ms. Sharmista Appaya, Global Lead, AI and Data Innovation at the World Bank Group

Sharmista Appaya has over fifteen years of robust experience in the intersecting worlds of data, finance, and digital development. She currently leads the World Bank’s AI Business line within the Digital Development practice, to support the creation of safe, inclusive digital infrastructures that leverage AI for meaningful responsible impact. She strongly believes in bridging divides—be they technological, economic, or social and trusts that innovation can pave the way for equitable growth.

As an advisor to policymakers, she helps governments identify key regulatory and policy challenges, guiding them as they navigate the nexus between traditional systems and emerging technologies. She was previously in the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation (FCI) global practice, of the World Bank where she specialized in fintech and financial inclusion. She spearheaded the World Bank’s offering on regulatory sandboxes with a focus on innovative business models and their impact on inclusion.

Prior to joining the World Bank, she was the Head of the Fintech Accelerator at the Bank of England in London looking at emerging technologies to understand both the applications of, and implications on, Central Banking practices. Her work focused heavily on machine learning, CBDCs and blockchain with a view to researching their economic and technical impacts and their relevance for the institution.

She has an undergraduate degree in Engineering and a Masters in Neuroscience.

Share this speaker
  • Organization
    World Bank Group
  • Profession
    Global Lead, AI and Data Innovation
Related sessions
31 May 2024
13:00 - 13:45
Doreen Bogdan-Martin (ITU), Caitlin Kraft Buchman (Women@TheTable), Mia Shah-Dand (Women in AI Ethics™)...

Are you sure you want to remove this speaker?