Mohamed Assem – Country Manager for Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon, Mastercard
In today's rapidly evolving digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it's the driving force reshaping how financial systems operate, scale, and stay secure. With AI poised to contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, nations that intelligently embed this technology into their digital infrastructure stand to unlock significant GDP growth, potentially up to 25%.
At Mastercard, AI is a strategic enabler—at the heart of our mission to power innovation, strengthen resilience, and foster inclusive growth. Whether it's safeguarding billions of daily transactions or expanding access to essential financial services, AI is seamlessly embedded across our operations to deliver smarter, safer, and more personalized experiences for people around the world.
To amplify our AI capabilities and deliver greater value to the communities we serve, we established the Center for Advanced AI and Cyber Technology in Dubai, in collaboration with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office. This milestone reinforces our commitment to advancing AI innovation responsibly and driving digital progress across the region.
AI-Driven Evolution in Cybersecurity
The convenience of our digital lives comes with the challenge of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. With digital payment fraud projected to exceed $91 billion globally by 2028, according to Juniper Research, the urgent need for stronger, more intelligent digital security measures is clear.
For Mastercard, cybersecurity is fundamental to our mission. We leverage advanced AI, including generative AI technologies, to protect over 143 billion transactions annually. Our AI-driven systems not only detect and respond to fraud in real time but have also doubled the speed at which potentially compromised cards are identified. This empowers financial institutions to act decisively, preventing fraud before it impacts consumers and businesses. Our commitment to proactive defense extends beyond the transaction itself; strategic investments, like the integration of capabilities from RiskRecon, enhance our ability to deliver automated risk assessments and deep analytics.
Driving Smarter Access and Operational Excellence
Beyond security, AI is a powerful catalyst for expanding access and optimizing our global operations. By analyzing vast amounts of digital interactions and behavioral patterns, Mastercard’s intelligent systems generate insights that help us tailor solutions to individual needs. This data-driven approach allows us to reach individuals and small businesses who have historically been underserved by traditional financial systems, enabling a more inclusive digital economy.
As the capabilities of generative AI and large language models continue to evolve, we are absolutely dedicated to deploying these technologies responsibly. This means continuous investment in robust governance frameworks, fostering specialized talent, and building secure infrastructure, ensuring AI is always ethical, transparent, and designed for a trusted digital future.
Our Vision: Technology Serving People
Mastercard’s vision is rooted in its belief of leveraging technology as a force for good to shape a financial future that is more inclusive, innovative, and truly responsive to society's evolving needs. We are seamlessly integrating traditional payment systems with cutting-edge technologies like AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital identity. This allows Mastercard to build comprehensive solutions that serve a wide array of sectors – from commercial payments and cross-border trade to urban mobility.
Ultimately, AI's profound potential isn't just about its remarkable capabilities—it's about how we choose to wield it. At Mastercard, we are committed to leveraging AI responsibly, shaping a future that is not only more inclusive and innovative, but above all, more trusted for everyone, everywhere.
