In a session attended by students from NUS, Kyoto University, and AIM, investment strategist Joseph Plazo, made a notable appeal: in a world increasingly shaped by machines, human judgment remains essential.

MANILA — Within one of Manila’s top academic venues, the tone was measured, the message clear: technology is no substitute for conscience.

Plazo, the founder of his namesake AI-focused investment firm, is known for building systems that outperform markets.

And yet, it was not code he chose to champion—but caution.

“If you allow machines to manage your portfolio,” he said, “ensure they reflect your values, not just your objectives.”

???? **One of AI’s Leading Voices Urges Balance, Not Blind Faith**

Plazo’s credibility comes not from critique, but from contribution. His systems are used by institutional investors across Europe and Asia.

“
“Accuracy without context is risky.”

He recounted a key moment during the COVID-19 crash: a bot under his firm’s control flagged a short position on gold—hours before an emergency Federal Reserve announcement.

“We intervened,” he said. “It read the signals. But not the situation.”

???? **Instinct Cannot Be Replaced by Speed Alone**

In a reference to a 2023 Fortune roundtable, Plazo cited concerns that traders increasingly feel disconnected from the market—having lost their instincts to automation.

“Pausing isn’t always inefficient. Sometimes, it’s responsible.”

He proposed a decision framework, which he called **“Conviction Calculus”**, grounded in three guiding questions:

- Does this move copyright the firm’s reputation?
- Does traditional market intelligence support the trade?
- Is this a decision we would defend in public?

???? **Why Joseph Plazo’s Message Resonates Across the Region**

Across Asia, investment in AI and fintech is accelerating. Countries like Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines are becoming hubs for automated trading systems and tech-led asset management.

Plazo’s message? The pace is impressive—but governance must not be left behind.

“You can scale capital faster than character,” he said. “Which leads get more info to systems that look smart, but act recklessly.”

In 2024 alone, two hedge funds in Hong Kong reported billion-dollar losses due to AI-driven decisions that failed to anticipate geopolitical shifts.

“Good intentions won’t fix bad models.”

???? **Building Technology That Understands More Than Just Numbers**

Despite his warnings, Plazo remains optimistic about AI’s future—when developed thoughtfully.

His team is building what he described as **“narrative-integrated AI”**—tools that factor in not just financial data, but also context, tone, timing, and social dynamics.

“It’s not enough to replicate hedge funds,” he said. “We need systems that reason—not just react.”

At a private gathering after his talk, venture leaders from Tokyo and Jakarta approached Plazo about potential collaboration. One described his vision as:

“A necessary counterweight to unchecked automation.”

???? **Why Slowing Down May Save the System**

Plazo concluded with a sobering statement:

“A silent, automated error can do more damage than a thousand bad guesses.”

It was a reminder: leadership is about asking the hard questions—especially when the data says yes.

Because in the race to automate everything, what’s often lost is not just time—but responsibility.