The Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) and the China Academy of Financial Research (CAFR) organized the 14th Summer Institute of Finance Conference (SIF) in Xi'an from July 14th to 15th, 2024. The conference brought together more than 60 distinguished scholars, professors, and researchers from top universities and financial institutions worldwide to explore the latest developments in financial research, with a focus on the hot topic "Financial AI and Machine Learning in China and in the World".
The SIF was chaired by Professor Guofu Zhou (Visiting Research Professor of Finance at SAIF and Chair Professor of Finance at Washington University in St. Louis) and co-chaired by Professor Nengjiu Ju (Chair Professor of Finance, Ph.D. Program Faculty Director at SAIF). Professor Hong Yan, Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty and Chair Professor of Finance at SAIF, delivered a warm welcome speech, emphasizing the SIF's original purpose of contributing to the growth of research in the finance field within China through international exchanges on cutting-edge topics.
Professor Dacheng Xiu—Visiting Research Professor of Econometrics and Statistics at SAIF and Chair Professor of Econometrics and Statistics at Booth School of Business, the University of Chicago—delivered a keynote speech titled "Expected Returns and Large Language Models".
This year's SIF saw a remarkable surge in submissions, with 379 valid academic papers received from around the globe. After rigorous evaluation by the Paper Review Committee, 12 papers were selected for presentation in six distinct academic sessions, covering a wide range of cutting-edge themes, including "ESG and Investments", "Politics in Research and Firm Value", "AI and ML in China and the World", "Exchange Rates and Incentive for Traders", and "Predictability".
During the conference, 12 scholars shared their latest research findings, followed by individual paper reviews, pertinent suggestions, and comments on research content, ideas, and methodologies. A Q&A session allowed for further discussion between scholars, professors, paper presenters, and reviewers.
