Thinking Ahead’s approach to technology and AI in and for the investment industry is built on a clear, future‑oriented philosophy: technology should elevate human judgement, strengthen investment decision‑making, and help organisations navigate unprecedented change and uncertainty. We view this philosophy through both a total portfolio approach and a systems thinking lens, recognising that technology does not operate in isolation. It shapes — and is shaped by — the broader ecosystem of markets, institutions and societal expectations.
Taking a total portfolio view ensures that technology and AI are considered as strategic capabilities that influence risk, return, resilience, and organisational culture across the entire investment chain. A systems thinking perspective helps us understand the interdependencies: how data quality affects insight; how insight affects decisions; how decisions ripple out into real‑world outcomes; and how those outcomes feed back into new data, new constraints, and new opportunities.
The ‘why’ is simple: by treating technology as part of a dynamic system, organisations can innovate more responsibly, anticipate unintended consequences, and build enduring advantage.
At the centre of this philosophy is the Intelligence Stack — a unified architecture that brings together data, analytics, AI, and human expertise. The stack connects raw information (such as market data, research inputs, sentiment signals, operational data, and wider contextual datasets) through structured insights to strategic action. It forms a scalable and adaptive system that enhances organisational effectiveness.
Below is our model showing how these components integrate to create a living, learning intelligence system — one that supports long‑term thinking, improves decision quality, and strengthens the investment organisation’s ability to adapt.
Where are we now?
Today’s investment organisations are at varying stages of this puzzle: some are digitising foundational data; others are experimenting with advanced analytics and AI; and a few are beginning to reorganise around intelligence‑driven operating models. And just like the Total Portfolio Approach, this progression isn’t binary – maturity develops along a spectrum.
We are continuing to develop our thinking and collect evidence, including through initiatives such as the Asset Manager Peer Study, to better understand the degree of maturity within each component. Our model aims to chart a path toward a more integrated, future‑ready intelligence stack that ultimately enables better investment decision‑making.
Our first c-suite members working group this year is focused on the Technology Ecosystem, as part of our ‘2.0’ series. Curious? Find out more about our 2026 research activities.
“…although this is a technological revolution, it’s a human-led one.”
Watch our fireside chat with CFA Institute: mastering skills for an AI‑driven future [coming soon].
Looking to run a tech/AI project this year?
We can help! We run projects year-round, either as part of our membership or independently. If you’d like to discuss a project, get in touch.
Explore our website
- Our work – research content hubs and 2026 research activities
- Thinking about joining our global network? Find out more.
- Take a look at what events we have coming up or revisit our past events.
Resources
Our Global Asset Manager Peer Study aims to tell us more about AI
This new study aims to share insight on common asset manager challenges while strengthening the industry’s collective capacity to adapt and innovate.
AI is game changing, keep up.
Discover the framework we use for approaching AI, beliefs for an AI-intelligent organisation, the role of measurement and more. [coming soon]
Systems thinking
Systems thinking encourages us to view problems as part of an overall system, rather than isolated events. In our increasingly complex world, traditional problem-solving methods often fall short. Approaching tech/AI with a systems thinking lens has never been more important as it impacts the entire system.
Systems thinking hub
Discover more on the topic and why systems thinking is an invaluable partner and tool for addressing the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Risk ‘2.0’
A seven-part thought piece series exploring risk management for investment systems, or what we are calling ‘risk 2.0’.
Why we need ‘superteams’ to face system-wide challenges
The challenges our industry faces require transformational change to adapt to a world of uncertainty and complexity. How? We’re prosposing, superteams.
The Total Portfolio Approach
TPA provides a systems‑level framework and tool to help investors navigate the many large‑scale shifts reshaping the landscape. Discover more about this investment approach via our hub.
Perspectives from our global network
*new* Part 1: Charting AI in the investment industry with RBC Global Asset Management
Jaco van der Walt, Head of Quantitative Investments and Lead of AI for Alpha at RBC, discusses agentic AI, the future of the investment manager and staying ahead.
*new* Part 2: Charting AI in the investment industry with CFA Institute
Mona Naqvi , Managing Director, Research, Advocacy & Standards at CFA Institute, gives insight into how we navigate a changing AI landscape and the skills we need [coming soon].