Enterprising Investor

In episode #380, Viktor Mayer-Schönberger discusses why he believes that data isn't just the new oil, but an even more important commodity. He believes that it not only greatly enhances markets, but also reshapes the economy. Last, he discusses data's new role and how he believes it has profound implications for the financial services sector and for finance capitalism more generally. The biggest challenge for the data economy is structural, and competition rules are ill suited to address this challenge.

In episode #379, Malcolm White, CFA, discusses the benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) in active investment management. Subjects include whether AI should be feared or embraced by investment professionals; things AI is good and bad at doing; neural networks; and how to avoid programming bias into algorithms.

In episode #378, Peter Zeihan discusses major geopolitics trends occurring currently, as well as the importance of geopolitics for financial professionals. Specifically: 1. The more than two decades breakdown in the world order, including the United States returning to isolationism and indifference about what happens in the rest of the world. 2. What reality that is worse that the Global Financial Crisis that is just around the corner? 3. Why finance pros should pay greater attention to geopolitics. 4. Zeihan's approach to geopolitical analysis. 5. The importance of intuition in his work.

In episode #377, Pete Ronayne offers practical insights on how professionals in demanding environments can optimize performance by focusing on keeping their brain refreshed and renewed.

In episode #376, we cover cover some of the basic terminologies and then chart a map of the AI-driven landscape. From small data to big data, from desktops to the cloud, and from simplistic programming to machine learning, the world has been moving at a rapid pace.

In episode #375, Professor Laurie Santos developed and taught Yale University's most popular course ever in which she introduced the science of happiness. Building on that experience, Dr. Santos appeared at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference to help professionals in our demanding, dynamic profession learn what science teaches us about being happier at work—and in all facets of our lives.

In episode #374, we discuss how emerging markets have been the place where the action is and the future will be. How near is the future for emerging markets? Does investing in emerging markets translate into a superior risk-adjusted performance?

In episode #373, recorded at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference in London, Sartaj Garewal, an actor and coach, discusses innate and acquired traits of good leaders. Having started his career as a financial analyst before moving into acting, he uses his unique background to offer useful tips on leadership development as well as practical advice on commonly encountered workplace anxieties, such as dealing with stage fright.

In episode #372, recorded at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference in London, Adam Tooze, a professor of history and director of the European Institute at Columbia University, discusses his most recent book, Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. Crashed has been described as "an eye-opening reinterpretation of the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, leading to the political shock waves you are feeling in the world today." In this short conversation, Professor Tooze discusses his main purpose in writing the book, connects the dots from 2008 to Brexit, and reflects on whether the global financial system is more resilient now.

In episode #371, recorded at the 72nd CFA Institute Conference in London, Amanda Young discusses a wide range of general ESG topics including "are oil companies bad but wind farm companies good?" and "who/what are the drivers pushing ESG into the mainstream?" The answer to the first question is that it is not that simple (!), whereas the second question considers large vs. small companies, the demand from retail investors, and effecting change through engagement.