E433: AlphaSense’s Chris Ackerson on AI, the Future of Finance & Finding Alpha

What happens to financial analysts when AI can do the work they used to spend all night doing? Chris Ackerson is SVP of Product at AlphaSense, where he focuses on applying information retrieval, natural language processing, deep learning, and recommendation systems to search and discovery. We discuss how AI is changing the analyst role, why vertical AI can outperform general-purpose models in financial research, and why proprietary data may become one of the most important competitive advantages in AI. Chris also explains why LLMs hallucinate, how AlphaSense is using AI to conduct expert interviews, where humans still create investment alpha, and why the future of financial research may look less like software and more like an AI teammate that never sleeps. Highlights: How AI is changing the role of financial analysts How AlphaSense increased banker coverage by up to 15% in one case study Why vertical AI can outperform general-purpose models in financial research Why hallucinations remain a barrier to professional AI adoption Why proprietary data could become a defining AI advantage How AI agents are conducting expert interviews and channel checks What investment bankers and hedge fund analysts may do in five years Why human judgment becomes more valuable as AI improves Where investment alpha comes from if everyone has access to similar AI Why frontier AI models are becoming more specialized, not less How AI agents could become teammates that work 24/7 Why AI companies must constantly be willing to disrupt themselves Guest Bio: Chris Ackerson is SVP of Product at AlphaSense and an experienced product leader focused on applying innovations in information retrieval, natural language processing, deep learning, and recommendation systems to search and discovery. Sponsors: Juniper Square: Juniper Square is trusted as the operations partner by more than 2,300 private markets GPs worldwide, connecting technology, data, and fund administration services to help GPs fundraise efficiently, streamline operations, and improve the investor experience. Their unified platform centralizes data and connects LPs and GPs across every workflow, including fundraising, investor onboarding, compliance, treasury, and reporting. Today, more than $1 trillion in LP capital is managed through Juniper Square. For more information, please visit https://www.junipersquare.com/howiinvest. AlphaSense: AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest to learn more. AlphaSummit Discount Code: AS26HII50 Are you interested in sponsoring the How I Invest Podcast? Please email David Weisburd at [email protected]. Stay Connected with David Weisburd: X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Pierce: https://www.weisburdpierce.com/ Stay Connected with Chris Ackerson: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ackerson-965b1313/ Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at [email protected]. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Pierce. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions. (0:00) Will AI Replace Financial Analysts? (3:00) Why Vertical AI Could Beat General-Purpose Models (6:28) Why Do LLMs Hallucinate? (7:50) Why Proprietary Data Matters More in AI (10:58) How AI Can Interview Human Experts (14:11) What Finance Jobs Could Look Like in Five Years (17:23) If Everyone Has AI, Where Does Alpha Come From? (20:32) Why AI Models Are Becoming More Specialized (27:16) What Happens When AI Agents Work With Other Agents? (30:57) The AI Lesson Chris Wishes He Learned Earlier