Financial markets are complex systems. Better tools are needed to understand risk, support sound decisions, and strengthen oversight. This is where artificial intelligence and computation come into play, and where Prof. Kay Giesecke’s research is focused.
Since July 1, 2026, Prof. Kay Giesecke heads the new "Artificial Intelligence & Quantitative Finance" research group at the joint Digital Engineering Faculty of the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) and the University of Potsdam. With this appointment, HPI is expanding its "Business and Society" cluster.
The group develops advanced technologies for the financial sector. It focuses on artificial intelligence, computational tools, and software systems that help improve how financial markets are understood, supervised, and managed. Prof. Giesecke’s research develops new approaches for understanding risk, improving decision support, and strengthening financial oversight.
Research at the intersection of AI and finance
Most recently, Kay Giesecke was Professor of Management Science and Engineering at the Stanford University School of Engineering. There, he served as Founding Director of the Advanced Financial Technologies Laboratory and as Director of the Computational and Mathematical Finance MS Program. Previously, he was Founding Director of the Center for Financial and Risk Analytics at Stanford University. In 2020, he also founded Infima Technologies, an AI technology company.
Prof. Giesecke earned his doctorate from Humboldt University of Berlin in 2001 and studied industrial engineering at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
"I’m excited to be joining HPI and build a leading hub for data, AI and computation in finance, developing the ideas, technologies, and talent that will redefine the practice of finance," says Prof. Giesecke.
Expanding research and teaching
At HPI, the "Artificial Intelligence & Quantitative Finance" department will add a new, far-reaching area of work to the "Business and Society" cluster. Plans include research and teaching on methodological foundations, software systems, and applications for a resilient, transparent, and equitable financial sector. This also includes formats for academic exchange as well as cooperation with academia, industry, regulators, and policymakers.
