Allianz GI CIO Virginie Maisonneuve: We are taking AI integration as seriously as ESG

investmentweek.co.uk:

Virginie Maisonneuve (pictured), CIO of Allianz Global Investors

With AI standing as one of the most talked about topics in markets this year, as Nvidia surpassed a $1trn valuation and ChatGPT stirred debates on the future of human-led jobs, Maisonneuve explained to Investment Week the importance of AI integration.

Firms only focusing on the potential workforce effects of AI are missing the larger impact it will have on the asset management industry, she added, noting that the winners of the next 15 years will be those asset managers that incorporate artificial intelligence into their processes.

She argued that while a lot of people «talk about productivity and labour» when discussing AI, the «key» differentiator «will be made on management skills».

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«Either you have the mindset to integrate AI, being agile, not afraid to fail, not afraid to try, be very creative on how you bring [in new] things, how you bring this to your teams to your business model or not,» she said.

Maisonneuve added this transition would be reminiscent of ESG's entry to the mainstream, requiring tenacious companies to lead their teams through a major transition.

Firms that are able to embrace the new dynamics and meet the challenges that AI brings will be the ones to survive the «Digital Darwinism».

The CIO argued this will lay bare the «quality of management teams» at an internal management level and their ability to run client investments.

«Digital Darwinism is part of sustainability,» Maisonneuve said. «It is part of how you look at competitiveness.»

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