

Building Trusted AI Systems in Financial Services From Strategy to Scale - with Zar Toolan of Edward Jones
9 snips Jul 28, 2025
Join Zar Toolan, General Partner and Head of Data & AI at Edward Jones, as he dives into the critical strategies for aligning AI with corporate goals in financial services. He discusses overcoming barriers to AI adoption and the importance of human-centered change management. Zar emphasizes responsible AI principles, the competitive edge of data, and the evolving talent strategies necessary for success. With insights on whether to build, buy, or partner for AI technologies, this discussion is essential for leaders aiming to thrive in the intelligence age.
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Align AI with Corporate Strategy
- AI transformation must be directly and intentionally aligned with corporate strategy for success.
- Establishing human-centered guiding principles like accountability and transparency is crucial to responsible AI use.
Build, Buy, or Partner Strategically
- Buy AI solutions for non-competitive functions and build or partner for unique competitive advantages.
- Shift focus from numerous use cases to scalable platforms measuring strategic outcomes for effective AI deployment.
Prioritize Human Side of AI
- Focus on mindset and skillset shifts, not just AI technology, for successful adoption.
- Partners must support change management and drive seamless AI integration into workflows.