It's hard to miss the buzz, just check out Twitter for topics like artificial intelligence, digital transformation, digital disruption or the ever expanding definition of fintech.
Combining automated business processes with artificial intelligence systems can be a roller coaster ride of reward and frustration. Frustrating while the problem in front of you seems overwhelming and rewarding when you finally put it all together.
Whether it is AI, cloud, or blockchain, the promises of untold freedoms via digital automation are everywhere. I see these technologies as opportunities waiting to be unlocked by someone. However, there is another side to this coin...
What would you do if a computer took your job?
In the financial services industry advisors are inundated with news of how a computer can do a human's job faster, better and often at lower cost. And they are not alone...ETFs, ECFs and a million other acronyms have taken over the financial industry. Technology companies like Amazon are experimenting with fleets of delivery drones, how many couriers would that replace?
How safe is your job?
The BBC and Deloitte developed this tool to scope out how likely your role will be computerized in the near future. Click here to try it out. http://bit.ly/robotsforhire
As someone who researches, develops, and deploys these systems it seems that my job is secure...for now. In fact, the most secure jobs tend to be those that require high degrees of skill in human relationships, creativity and original thinking. I guess I'm safe until they get that AI thing figured out...I give the technology about 10 year to get there.
In the fintech sector a strong backlash against the machine is materializing...and, this time it's the free market in the driver's seat. I recently worked on a project where we spent countless hours pouring over the market, strategies, products and financials of disruptive fintech companies like Venmo, Transferwise and Vancouver's Wealthsimple.
Currently, the Canadian market is run by big firms with little automation or business intelligence and almost no integration between systems . On the flip side startups are popping up with "robo-advisor" solutions, a sure sign of yet another role being lost to a computer...or is it?
The market research seems to tell a different story, one where some fintech startups are facing hard times due of their business models. Business models that forgot about the value of human relationships, creativity or a high net worth DIY investor.
Roboadvisor firms average the smallest account sizes in the industry. In Wealthsimple's case, the client acquisition cost (CAC) will take 5 years to recover in the very best case scenarios. On the other hand, full service wealth managers are managing larger accounts with higher profitability then ever before...so what gives?
“When it comes to their life savings, it appears clients prefer the support, knowledge and expertise of a qualified professional over the simplicity of a prepackaged set of “mobile first” options.”
The truth is that robots, computerized business intelligence and automation are not here to put humans out of work. They are here to support us, to raise our quality of life and to revolutionize the service we can provide to our customers, regardless of your industry.
In the case of financial services, the wealthiest clients do not want an automated handful of ETFs nor do they want a call answering service. These clients want the support, knowledge and expertise of a qualified professional who has the time to pay attention to their unique situation, with cutting edge tools to manage it and the creativity to come up with top notch, innovative solutions.
While the market is rapidly changing and computers are replacing everything from paper to package delivery there is still no way to replicate the value of a human creativity and connection. As this era of digital disruption continues to accelerate and drive us forward we will see the trend from one industry to another.
I don't believe the risk is that artificial intelligence will take your job. Rather, watch out for a competitor who understands how to use the technology empowering their employees and clients. Better yet, be the one who leads your competition.