Workshop 2: Economics of Data

Fintech Workshop: Exploring two IMF Innovation Projects using AI and Machine Learning for Data Analysis and Forecasting

Location: HQ1 iLab, HQ1-2-701

Overview

Workshop exploring two IMF innovation projects that are using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for data analysis and forecasting.

Manasa: "AI solutions to assessing capital and credit flows in emerging and developing economies."

Johannes and Benjamin: "Using SWIFT data to nowcast economic activity."

Part 1: Machine Learning Solutions to Forecasting Capital and Credit Flows

Speakers

Adrian Alter

Economist, IMF

Adrian Alter is an Economist in the IMF’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department, where he has mainly contributed to the analytical chapters of the Global Financial Stability Report. He joined the IMF in 2013 as part of the Economist Program and has since worked on various assignments including the 2019 Canada Financial Program Assessment Program (FSAP), 2018 Singapore Article IV and 2016 Russian Federation FSAP. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Konstanz, Germany and a Master’s degree in finance from HEC Lausanne, Switzerland. He maintains an active research agenda, focusing on financial stability issues such as macroprudential regulation, housing markets, household indebtedness, and systemic risk.

Manasa Patnam

Economist, SPR Department, IMF

Manasa Patnam is an Economist in the IMF’s Strategy, Policy and Review Department, where she works in the Macro financial Unit. Before joining the IMF, she was an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Research in Economics and Statistics (ENSAE and Ecole Polytechnique) in Paris. She holds a PhD in economics from the University of Cambridge and a Master’s degree in Economics for the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on spillovers and interconnections through economic networks, political economy, empirical corporate finance, auctions and forecasting.

Part 2: SWIFT Nowcasting — Improving the IMF’s Short-term Trade Forecast

Moderator

Tristan Walker

Innovation Lab Unit Chief, IMF

Speakers

Joannes Mongardini

Deputy Division Chief, RES Department, IMF

Joannes Mongardini is a deputy division chief in the IMF’s Research Department. At the IMF, his work to date has covered a wide range of countries and policy issues, like multilateral surveillance, exchange rate policy, macroprudential policy, and regional integration. While on leave from the Fund, Mr. Mongardini worked as chief economist for Qatar National Bank in Doha, Qatar. He holds a Ph.D. in economics.

Benjamin Carton

Economist, RES Department, IMF

Benjamin Carton is an economist in the IMF’s Research Department. His work at IMF covers global trade forecasting and macro-fiscal modeling, both in advanced and emerging economies. Formerly, he was an economist at the French Treasury, as well as in two French research institutions, CEPII and CEPREMAP, focusing mainly on macro-fiscal issues, commodity prices, monetary policy, capital flows and exchange rates. He holds a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in economics.