CNBC · 22 Oct, 06:51 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Can AI beat quant funds? Pictet says yes

Pictet Asset Management reports that its artificial intelligence-driven investment strategy recently outperformed traditional quantitative hedge funds.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

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Pictet Asset Management reports that its artificial intelligence-driven investment strategy recently outperformed traditional quantitative hedge funds. This development challenges the long-standing dominance of conventional quantitative methods in high-frequency trading and asset allocation. The Swiss bank suggests that AI models can identify complex market patterns and execute trades more effectively than human-designed algorithms. For the financial sector, this signals a significant shift towards machine learning integration in core investment processes. Professionals must now consider how AI adoption is reshaping competitive advantages in wealth management and trading, potentially rendering older quantitative techniques obsolete.

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Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
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This shift demands immediate attention from finance professionals. Traditional quantitative skills are no longer sufficient; you must integrate machine learning expertise into your workflow. Data scientists and AI specialists become critical partners for traders and portfolio managers. To stay relevant, you should upskill in AI Strategy and Data Science, focusing on practical applications in financial markets. Do not ignore this trend, as firms will prioritise candidates who understand both algorithmic trading and AI model governance. Start by auditing your current skill set against emerging AI requirements in asset management. Engage with cross-functional teams to understand how AI impacts risk assessment. Proactively seek projects that involve AI implementation, demonstrating your ability to bridge technical innovation with financial strategy. Your career resilience depends on adapting to this technological evolution now.

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