In a progressive initiative aimed at empowering staff through cross-functional knowledge transfer and enhancing digital financial services, Jordan Kuwait Bank, in partnership with JoPACC and as the gold sponsor of JOIN FINCUBATOR, proudly announces the launch of its first internal hackathon exclusively for its employees. This event witnessed participation from 120 employees, forming 25 dynamic teams, focused on developing advanced solutions on “MASA”, JKB’s Market-First Conversational AI financial assistant on JKBMobile.

MASA represents notable innovation in banking technology, being the first market-leading digital personal assistant in the region. Designed to meet all customer needs, MASA is powered by advanced AI technology, capable of handling a wide range of inquiries and financial transactions through voice-control assistance. This includes CliQ transfers, local and international remittances, bill payments, and providing comprehensive FAQs on banking services and products. MASA understands and replies to customers using natural Arabic language.

Salma.ai, the creators of MASA, played a major role in the hackathon by providing the Virtual Assistant Builder Tool used by participants to work on their flows and designs. Furthermore, Salma.ai formed working groups to support the teams throughout the event, ensuring that all participants had the guidance and resources needed to bring their innovative ideas to life.

A hackathon is an event, typically lasting 3 days, where individuals collaborate intensively on finding the best solution for a specific problem. The goal is to create functioning software or hardware by the end of the event, with a focus on innovation and development of new ideas and solutions.

The hackathon culminated with 15 teams presenting their innovative solutions to an esteemed jury panel comprising experts from Princess Sumaya University for Technology, JoPACC, PWC, and Salma.ai. The event was graced by the presence of JoPACC’s CEO Ms. Maha Al Bahou, JKB’s CEO Haethum Buttikhi, and the executive management of JKB, displaying the bank’s commitment to integrating innovative practices and digital transformation in financial technology.

On this occasion Ms. Maha Al Bahou, CEO of JoPACC, commented, "It’s exhilarating to see such vibrant energy and innovative thinking among the teams. JKB’s initiative is a leap forward in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and digital savvy within the banking sector."

On his side Haethum Buttikhi, CEO of Jordan Kuwait Bank, stated, "This hackathon is a cornerstone in our journey towards digital excellence. We are fully utilizing the collective creativity and expertise of our employees to enhance the banking experience for our customers through innovative solutions like MASA."

Mr. Timur Courshlaw, Partner at PWC and a jury member, stated, "The level of creativity, expertise, and energy displayed at this hackathon was truly impressive. It’s evident that JKB is on the right track with its strategic focus on digital innovation and employee empowerment. These initiatives not only encourage a dynamic workplace, but also position JKB as a forward-thinking leader in the industry."

Jordan Kuwait Bank continues to lead by example, showing how traditional banking can embrace innovation to better serve its customers and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.