The Canadian Leadership Congress was founded to provide Canadian pension leaders with a forum for learning from one other – the International Best Practices Forum, being held from October 11-13 in Victoria, BC, is no exception. One of the topics on this year’s agenda is AI and Asset Management, The End of the World as We Know It. Moderating this session is Drew McFadzean, Vice President, Office of the Chief Investment Officer at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). In this Q&A, he shares his thoughts on how pension funds are using artificial intelligence and what he hopes to learn from his panel discussion.
How will AI help investors in their decision-making?
That’s the big question asset owners and managers around the globe are working hard to figure out. The short answer is we don’t fully know, but the possibilities are significant. AI certainly has the potential to power useful tools that help institutions analyze information and find linkages and insights that may have previously gone unnoticed. For example, we see potential in an area like relationship management.
What risks do you see emerging?
Data security is always top of mind. AI tools, being data dependent, only amplify the importance. There is also uncertainty around the impact of AI on sectors and assets many investors have exposure to. How might advancements in AI impact particular business models and industries undergoing disruption?
What are you most looking forward to learning from your panelists?
Like many delegates, I’m looking forward to hearing from how other institutions are approaching opportunities presented by AI-enabled tools. Our respective organizations need to balance the risk of falling behind as the technology evolves with the potential to overestimate the potential impacts.
Interested in joining your peers at the Canadian Leadership Congress? Consider attending our next event, the International Best Practices Forum, being held in Victoria, BC from October 11-13, 2023. Contact Joanne Boccia to find out more!