As we build toward Future Proof Citywide 2026 (March 8-11, Miami Beach, FL), I’ve been spending time with some of the most forward-looking executives in wealth and asset management, the people who are not just talking about AI but actively deploying it to transform how their firms operate, build products, and better serve clients.
Yesterday, I chatted with Gopal Subramanian, Chief Data and AI Officer at Focus Financial Partners, a wealth management firm with $400B+ in client assets and over 6,300 team members, to discuss how one of the industry’s largest networks of wealth management firms is approaching AI. The conversation reinforced a point that keeps coming up in nearly every executive discussion I have: we’re at the edge of a massive transformation, but most of the industry isn’t ready for it yet.
Getting AI-Ready Starts with Data
Gopal’s view is clear: AI transformation doesn’t start with a model, it starts with data. Most firms in our space are “application-centric,” not “data-centric.” That means they’ve built technology around specific tools rather than around shared data domains. At Focus, Gopal and his team identified 13 core data domains, foundational structures that, once standardized, can be reused across the business to remove duplication, reduce errors, and ultimately make AI useful.
That framework resonated deeply. I’ve heard similar sentiments from others: firms aren’t lacking in data, they’re lacking in structure. The next wave of transformation will favor firms that treat data as a product, clean, portable, and ready to plug into both internal and external AI systems.
The Four Pillars of Practical AI
One of the reasons this conversation stood out is Gopal’s pragmatic approach. He’s less interested in the hype cycle and more focused on what he calls “practical AI,” deploying solutions that create real business outcomes today, while building the foundation for tomorrow. His model includes four components:
- Independent AI: Quick wins that don’t depend on massive data integration, like AI notetaking to cut hours of manual effort.
- Strategic AI: Layering AI tools into enterprise systems (think Salesforce) to close functionality gaps.
- Differentiation AI: Using proprietary firm data to build unique client experiences or competitive edges.
- Data and AI Literacy: Creating a shared language and mindset around AI across the organization.
It’s a simple but powerful framework: start small, think strategically, and bring people along for the journey.
Culture Is the Hard Part
The cultural element, what Gopal calls “data and AI literacy,” may be the hardest and most important part of all. It’s not enough to train data scientists; firms need to upskill everyone to understand how to work in an AI-first world. At Focus, that means building a cross-functional “train-the-trainer” bootcamp program, scheduled for 2026, that blends HR, technology, and business teams into a shared literacy model.
As Gopal put it, the goal is to “see the world through the lens of data and AI.” That mindset shift, from cautious experimentation to confident integration, will determine which firms adapt and which fall behind.
Measuring AI’s ROI
Another insight I took away was how Focus measures success. Every project starts with a business outcome, not a technology pitch. The team looks at processes, like a 28-day cycle for producing thought leadership, and applies AI to reduce it to seven days. The metric isn’t “how many models did we train?” but “how much time and cost did we save while improving output quality?”
This outcome-first approach mirrors how we think about the agenda at Future Proof Citywide. It’s not about exploring AI in the abstract; it’s about showcasing practical, measurable use cases that reshape how firms invest, build, grow, and lead.
The Industry Is Moving Quickly
As we discussed the broader market, we agreed on one point: AI is not a feature. It’s an operating model. The wealth management industry is being rewired, from portfolio construction to client engagement to firm design. And as the infrastructure catches up, the distinction between technology firms and financial firms will continue to blur.
Gopal’s closing thought captured it perfectly: “We can’t just focus and focus. We have to focus and finish.” It’s a simple but fitting mantra for where we are right now, in an industry full of pilots and proofs of concept, it’s time to execute.
Why These Conversations Matter
These research calls, candid, unscripted, and focused on real-world application, are helping us shape the Future Proof Citywide 2026 program. They inform who we invite to speak, what stories we showcase, and how we frame the discussion around AI’s impact on finance.
Our goal is to make Future Proof Citywide the defining gathering for the AI-native finance community, a place where industry leaders, innovators, and investors come together to move from exploration to execution.
If you’re leading or supporting transformation inside your firm, as an executive, investor, technologist, operator, or advisor, I encourage you to join us next March in Miami Beach. You’ll find people like Gopal who aren’t just theorizing about the future; they’re building it.
AI is rewriting the rules of wealth management, and those who understand it will define the future. Register now to secure the best rates and join the community that’s learning, building, and leading together at Future Proof Citywide 2026.
Disclaimer: This article was written by me … with the help of AI (ChatGPT 5 to be specific). If we’re building an event about how AI is transforming finance, we’d be hypocrites not to use it ourselves. At Future Proof, we’re testing and deploying AI at every stage of the business: from how we research and write, to how we design, plan, and deliver events. Consider this both an experiment and a preview of what’s to come.
Author
Matt Middleton
Founder & CEO, Future Proof
Matt Middleton is the founder and CEO of Future Proof, the company behind the world’s largest AI-native finance event, Future Proof Citywide. He leads the vision for building community-driven experiences that connect the most forward-thinking investors, advisors, technologists, and creators redefining financial services.
