24 February 2026 14:45 - 15:15
Beyond the numbers: The soft skills AI canât replace
AI can analyze numbers, build the forecast, and create polished slides in seconds. But it canât effectively get the room to act on it. That takes judgment. That takes influence.
In a world of automated models and templates, the finance professionals who stand out aren't the ones who are analyzing or producing the tables and graphs. They are the ones who can influence and tell the story. In this session, you will learn how to use your soft skills as your sharpest tool in today's world. We will break down the psychology of communication and influence, specifically for highly technical roles in Finance. Youâll learn why perception drives decisions (and promotions), why your work will not speak for itself, and how to build a recognizable professional brand that AI canât copy.
Youâll even come away with practical scripts you can use in your next budget review, stakeholder meeting, or promotion conversation.
Led by Ricky Koo, Head of GTM & Technology/Engineering Financial Planning & Analysis at Autodesk. Ricky blends a psychology background with 20+ years of corporate finance experience across JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Visa, Oracle, and Autodesk. He is also an instructor of Leadership & Negotiation at UC Berkeley Extension.