The Future Of Ecommerce Risk Management

The current era of digital buying requires vigilance long before the "Buy Now" button appears. That precise moment, the one where the shopper hesitates or confirms, is often too late for intervention. Riskified’s Ascend 2026 global summit, announced in New York on December 17, 2025, centers on the theme "Intelligence In Motion," suggesting a critical spatial and temporal shift in strategy.

Intelligence should not be a static lighthouse waiting at the shore; it must be a fast, quiet current beneath the surface of the entire shopping expedition. To effectively stop fraud and policy abuse in the AI-driven landscape, merchants must implement systems that observe and decide across the complete customer journey, achieving precision far upstream from the final checkout confirmation.

The Geography of Risk and Certainty

The schedule itself reads like a mysterious, high-stakes travel itinerary, convening leaders from the fraud and risk management community across continents.

The conference series kicks off in North America in May, shifting to Europe in June, followed by the distant light of Australia in August. China and Japan close the global run, scheduled for September and October, respectively. It feels like chasing a subtle, sophisticated shadow across the hemispheres. Fraud, of course, doesn't rest, but neither does the desire of good customers seeking a quality product.

Jeff Otto, Riskified’s Chief Marketing Officer, articulated the duality felt within the sector: the progress in AI is both exhilarating and concerning, especially witnessing the dramatic impact of agentic commerce. This complexity—this simultaneous thrill and dread—is the quiet background hum of the new economy, demanding that teams actively design the future rather than simply observing it unfold.

Network-Wide Intelligence and the Explaining Machine

The North American meeting, set for May 4–6, 2026, will anchor itself in Manhattan’s The Conrad New York Downtown. The focus will be on how real-time intelligence can move faster than fraudulent actors, specifically utilizing network-wide intelligence and real-time decisioning. A particularly confusing aspect for many is the concept of "explainable AI." It sounds like a philosophical request trying to fit neatly into a system flowchart.

The technology must articulate its reasoning, allowing merchants to understand *why* a decision was made—why a strange pattern was flagged, or why a shopper was deemed safe seconds before the critical click. This level of clarity is vital for driving measurable business impact. The technology showcased during Ascend aims to not only prevent loss with heightened precision but also to optimize conversions, ensuring that the valuable, loyal customers are seamlessly rewarded.

This quest transcends simple protection; it is about guaranteeing the smooth, nearly silent passage of legitimate commerce.

In the vast expanse of the digital realm, ecommerce has become an indispensable part of modern ___. Online transactions have made it possible for people to purchase goods and services from anywhere in the world, at any time. However, this convenience comes with a price - the risk of fraud. As ecommerce continues to grow, so does the threat of fraudulent activities.

Online merchants and consumers alike must be vigilant in their pursuit of secure transactions.
The consequences of ecommerce fraud can be severe, resulting in significant financial losses for both merchants and consumers. Stolen credit card information, fake accounts, and phishing scams are just a few examples of the many tactics used by fraudsters.

To combat these threats, ecommerce companies are turning to advanced fraud prevention tools and strategies.
These may include machine learning algorithms, behavioral biometrics, and real-time transaction monitoring. By leveraging these technologies, merchants can better detect and prevent fraudulent activities, protecting their customers and their bottom line.

As the ecommerce landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that fraud prevention will remain a top priority.
By staying ahead of the latest threats and trends, merchants can minimize their risk and ensure a safe and secure shopping experience for their customers. The key to success lies in finding a balance between security and convenience, allowing customers to shop with ease while also ← →

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From North America to the Asia-Pacific, Ascend 2026 will bring together leaders from the fraud and risk management community to define ...
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