The pace of change in AI models poses a significant challenge to the due diligence frameworks employed by asset owners, whose own ability to adapt is being outstripped by the technological advancements they’re being asked to assess.
APG, the biggest pension provider in Europe, is positioning itself as a digital pioneer with investment in the large-scale use of data, workflow automation and digital analytical platforms. A leader in funds management, most notably sustainability, it is once again a frontrunner by embracing technology.
The C$23 billion Canadian fund, OPTrust is embracing the power of technology to improve investment outcomes. Wei Xie and Brandon Da Silva explain the fund's focus on two subdomains of machine learning and how they can be used together: reinforcement learning and uncertainty modelling.
Pension funds around the globe should be putting their high-risk capital towards supporting venture funds that have a track record of seeing value in people, according to Vivienne Ming, Silicon Valley technologist, entrepreneur and theoretical neuroscientist. Ming believes that AI can be used to solve poverty, mental health, inequality and even predict who will spread COVID-19. She says technology can make all of our lives better.
The battle between man and machine, that has played out in various arenas – such as Garry Kasporov versus IBM’s Big Blue, and when IBM’s supercomputer Watson out-dueled Jeopardy champions Ken Jennings and Brian Rutter – is now taking place in sustainability research. So will AI prevail again?
Boards and investment committees must rise to the current challenge, with governance models needing a pivot to respond to the new social distancing norm. Roger Urwin outlines a virtual investment committee model.
Nearly 10 years ago Lorelei Graye was part of the team at South Carolina that pushed for private market reporting transparency. That experience has motivated her to be a part of the solution in heading up the ADS Initiative to develop global data standards for private capital. We look at the journey to get there.
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