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Introduction

Will it rain today in my city—or on my portfolio? Since the 1970s, artificial intelligence (AI) has assisted investors with trading strategies and meteorologists with weather forecasts. Defined as machines that mimic the cognitive functions of the human brain, AI seeks and compiles information, helps sift through data, and analyzes it to improve decision-making used in our day-to-day living. AI powers the sensors that collect data on weather, carbon emissions, traffic patterns and countless other items.

The development and deployment of AI tools continue to embed themselves into nearly all aspects of daily life. AI platforms can allow individual users to use facial recognition on their phones, get new streaming recommendations based on personal viewing patterns, ask Siri for directions while driving, and even allow cars to drive without a human at the helm. The challenge of providing such customiza­tion cost-effectively and at scale requires AI deployment to understand the interests of clients and prospects as well as the context surrounding them. Automating selections of the next “best” offer for a customer requires real-time database connections, machine-learning and orchestration.

AI can boost most investors’ scale, speed and sophistication. Wealth management profiling systems can dynamically monitor clients’ behaviors and those of their family and associates to help inform their portfolio needs using AI’s ongoing flow of information. Portfolio managers can utilize AI to monitor sentiment across analysts’ reports, earnings calls, stock-price movements, news articles and social media activities. With AI tools, a portfolio manager can identify incongruencies that may lead to large price moves or behavioral biases in trade executions, and they can also decipher in real time whether a company’s practices meet targets for pay equity or carbon footprint reduction. The quality of AI results depend on the human to submit quality queries for better usage and outcomes.

With well-designed AI algorithms, investors can produce better outcomes. However, we still need professionals to operate AI tools to both guide and gut-check their recommendations. In this issue, we provide more on the transformative power of AI in investment management, with

“Copilot, not autopilot: How generative AI augments, but doesn’t replace active management,” written by Max Gokhman, Head of MosaiQ Investment Strategy;

“Durable passive thematic strategies—A solution unlocked by artificial intelligence,” by Ralph Corasaniti, Strategic Accounts & Innovation Director, Retirement & Insurance; and

“The ripe opportunity for AI in the workplace,” by Josh Anderson, Strategic Accounts & Innovation Director, Retirement & Insurance.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency investments are subject to various risks, including inability to develop digital asset applications or to capitalize on those applications, theft, loss, or destruction of cryptographic keys, the possibility that digital asset technologies may never be fully implemented, cybersecurity risk, conflicting intellectual property claims, and inconsistent and changing regulations. Speculative trading in bitcoins and other forms of cryptocurrencies, many of which have exhibited extreme price volatility, carries significant risk; an investor can lose the entire amount of their investment. Blockchain technology is a new and relatively untested technology and may never be implemented to a scale that provides identifiable benefits. If a cryptocurrency is deemed a security, it may be deemed to violate federal securities laws. There may be a limited or no secondary market for cryptocurrencies.

Digital assets are subject to risks relating to immature and rapidly developing technology, security vulnerabilities of this technology, (such as theft, loss, or destruction of cryptographic keys), conflicting intellectual property claims, credit risk of digital asset exchanges, regulatory uncertainty, high volatility in their value/price, unclear acceptance by users and global marketplaces, and manipulation or fraud. Portfolio managers, service providers to the portfolios and other market participants increasingly depend on complex information technology and communications systems to conduct business functions. These systems are subject to a number of different threats or risks that could adversely affect the portfolio and their investors, despite the efforts of the portfolio managers and service providers to adopt technologies, processes and practices intended to mitigate these risks and protect the security of their computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to the portfolios and their investors.

Any companies and/or case studies referenced herein are used solely for illustrative purposes; any investment may or may not be currently held by any portfolio advised by Franklin Templeton. The information provided is not a recommendation or individual investment advice for any particular security, strategy, or investment product and is not an indication of the trading intent of any Franklin Templeton managed portfolio.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

Information on this website is intended to be of general information only and does not constitute investment or financial product advice. It expresses no views as to the suitability of the products or services described as to the individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs of any investor. You should conduct your own investigation or consult a financial adviser before making any decision to invest. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs), and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision.

Neither Franklin Templeton Australia, nor any other company within the Franklin Templeton group guarantees the performance of any Fund, nor do they provide any guarantee in respect of the repayment of your capital. In accordance with the Design and Distribution Obligations, we maintain Target Market Determinations (TMD) for each of our Funds. All documents can be found via the Literature Page or by calling 1800 673 776. 

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