Volcano Summit 2025 brought entrepreneurs and leaders from the region and the United States together for three days in Antigua Guatemala. AI was the central theme. The takeaway for banking in LATAM: AI is a catalyst, but its impact depends on using it with responsibility, empathy, and a long-term vision.
In Antigua Guatemala , a colonial city surrounded by volcanoes and declared a World Heritage Site, one of the most inspiring events of the year took place: the Volcano Summit 2025 . For three days, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders from around the world came together to talk about the future, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) . For those of us working on digital transformation and financial channels in Latin America, this gathering left valuable lessons on how AI is shaping the path of innovation in the region and across the world. An event that inspires and connects The first day took place at Cerro de Santo Domingo, an open space with stunning views that conveyed grandeur and inspiration. The second day, the talks and networking took place at the historic Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, where various strategic conversations unfolded. The third day closed with distributed activities and informal gatherings, where we made the most of personal connections. The diversity of the audience was part of the value: local attendees from Guatemala, clients and friends from the region, and a strong presence of leaders from the United States. All sharing the same purpose: startups, innovation, and technology . Artificial intelligence as the common thread While there was talk of investment, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, AI was the main topic . The recurring question was: How do we use AI to improve our lives, businesses, and societies? The debates included practical use cases, risks, regulations, and, above all, how to ensure that technology strengthens what is human rather than replacing it . The talk that defined the event: De Kai and The Future Society One of the presentations I remember most vividly was that of De Kai, from The Future Society . His message went beyond the technical and connected with the human: “Raising AI is like raising a child: you don't teach with instructions, but with example. If we want artificial intelligence to reflect our values, we have to start acting in line with those values.” This approach shifted the AI debate from the purely technological toward the ethical and human , reinforcing the idea that collective responsibility is key to how this technology evolves. Reflections for banking in LATAM The Volcano Summit 2025 leaves us with a clear lesson: innovation does not happen in isolated labs, but in spaces where different cultures, experiences, and visions converge. At Delto , we came back from the event with a reinforced conviction: AI is not just a trend , it is a catalyst capable of transforming entire industries like banking in Latin America . The impact of AI on digital channels, customer experience, and operations will be profound, but it depends on how we use it : with responsibility, empathy, and a long-term vision. Just as Antigua Guatemala reminded us that the new always dialogues with what already exists, banking today has the opportunity to integrate artificial intelligence without losing what is essential: the trust and closeness with its customers .
What was Volcano Summit 2025? A three-day event in Antigua Guatemala that brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders from the region and the United States to discuss the future, technology, and artificial intelligence. AI was the main topic.
What lessons did Volcano Summit 2025 leave for banking in LATAM? That AI is a catalyst capable of transforming entire industries like banking, but its impact on digital channels, customer experience, and operations depends on how it is used: with responsibility, empathy, and a long-term vision.
What was De Kai's message at the event? De Kai, from The Future Society, argued that raising AI is like raising a child: you teach not with instructions but with example. If we want AI to reflect our values, we have to act in line with those values.