Artificial Intelligence and Investments &#8211; Opportunities, Risks and Myths

Andreas Spyridis, CFA Vice president, CFA Society Cyprus

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Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant future for the investment management industry. It’s here, moving fast and changing the way portfolios are built, risk is assessed and investment decisions are made. For financial professionals, the conversation has now shifted. The question is no longer whether AI will affect you practically, but how to use it correctly, with a critical eye and a clear sense of responsibility.

This is the discussion that the CFA Society Cyprus brings to its community in the webinar titled “AI in Asset Management“which will take place on 4 May 2026 at 18:00 EEST.

The Mission of CFA Society Cyprus

CFA Society Cyprus is part of the global network of the CFA Institute, the largest association of professional investors in the world. Our mission is to promote the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence in the investment profession, and to serve the public interest by promoting a financial industry based on integrity, competence and transparency.

In practice, this means we work to equip our members – portfolio managers, risk professionals, analysts, regulators, consultants and others – with the knowledge and perspective they need to navigate an ever-changing industry. When new technologies, media, and contexts emerge, our role is to encourage informed, evidence-based engagement rather than unqualified enthusiasm or unwarranted resistance. This balance has never been more important than it is today.

Why AI in Asset Management Matters Now

The adoption of AI in the investment industry is rapid. Machine learning techniques are applied to factor models, natural language processing (NLP) is used to analyze results via video conferencing, and AI is increasingly integrated into portfolio optimization and trade execution. The technology has moved from the research lab to the everyday infrastructure of investment management, sometimes visibly, sometimes silently.

Rapid adoption comes with its own risks, however. A major issue is the growing discrepancy between the real capabilities of AI and the exaggerated claims made by some executives and product providers. “AI washing”, the tendency to overstate or misrepresent the role of AI in an investment process, has emerged as a real and growing concern for investors, regulators and end investors. Distinguishing meaningful AI integration from marketing deception is one of the most serious problems facing investment professionals today during due diligence.

This touches on investor confidence and the integrity of the capital markets – all central themes in the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. For these reasons, we believe that the matter deserves a serious and informed discussion.

A Discussion Worth Having

CFA Society Cyprus is pleased to welcome him Dr. Joseph Simonianresearcher and investor, whose work has significantly contributed to the integration of artificial intelligence into investment management processes. Dr. Simonian is its editor AI in Asset Management: Tools, Applications, and Frontiersa book that brings together the thoughts and works of leading researchers and practitioners in the valuation of AI in investment processes. He is also the author of the report AI Washing: Signs, Symptoms, and Suggested Solutions for Investment Stakeholdersa timely look at one of the profession’s greatest integrity challenges. Dr. Simonian is a regular contributor to the CFA Institute Research and Policy Center and has been a consistent and trusted voice in educating investment professionals on the proper use of AI, machine learning techniques, and quantitative tools in practice.

The webinar will draw from these publications to provide a realistic view of where AI is truly adding value to asset management and explain how practitioners can approach AI-based products and strategies with the critical discernment the times demand. A Q&A will follow, giving attendees the opportunity to direct their questions to Dr. Simonian.

Invitation to all Professionals

The webinar is open to CFA Society Cyprus members, CFA candidates and other professionals from the wider region. It is addressed to anyone who faces AI in their professional activity. Whether you work in the front office, risk management, compliance or even consulting, AI is now all about us.

Continuing education, in our view, is not just a formal matter. It is a meaningful commitment to the customers, organizations and markets we serve. Events like this are part of our ongoing effort to bring global thinking to the Cyprus investment community, and ensure our members are equipped to operate with confidence in a rapidly evolving global industry.