By Viki Leibow, Sustainable Trading
Adapting to the AI-driven trading desk
“AI isn’t replacing people – people using AI are replacing people.” Samuel Livingstone, CFA, Ambienta
That was the big takeaway from the final panel at the FIX EMEA Trading Conference 2025, and it’s one that stuck with me.
We’ve all heard the sweeping statements about AI transforming industries, but what does that actually mean for the people working in trading today? Will it make their jobs easier, or simply shift the complexity elsewhere?
Industry experts on the stage made one thing clear: AI will change the way people work. It’s a tool that can automate routine tasks but it’s still humans who bring the judgment, oversight and intuition that machines lack.
Here I share some of the key takeaways from the discussion: ‘The Future of Our People – How will AI impact our industry’s workforce?’
AI, if used well, is an employee assistant
One of the core themes was how firms can develop AI’s role to support employees. Evan Canwell of T. Rowe Price – a member of Sustainable Trading and an advocate for responsible AI adoption – noted that traders have always looked for ways to improve efficiency, and AI is simply the next tool in that evolution.
Another panellist made an interesting comparison: for tasks outside of work, we already trust AI, so why not apply that same logic to trading? It’s not about removing traders from the equation but to enhance how they interact with the market.
The discussion highlighted how AI is increasingly becoming an essential assistant across trading functions. Panellists shared examples from within their organisations, demonstrating how even small AI-driven efficiencies can have an impact. While adoption varies between the buy side and sell side, AI is already automating administrative tasks, handling small-ticket orders and reshaping market data processing. By reducing the time spent on manual processes, AI is improving productivity and freeing professionals to focus on higher-value work.
While AI is already being applied across trading, what possibilities are yet to be explored?
Moving past the fear of change
Naturally, the concern about AI replacing jobs came up, and I can see why. But as one panellist pointed out, this isn’t the first time the industry has faced a major technological shift. When electronic trading took off, there was widespread panic about job losses. Yet firms that embraced the transition early thrived, and new opportunities emerged. AI feels like the next iteration of that.
Rather than fearing AI, traders should see it as an opportunity. One speaker framed it as pressure rather than fear – a pressure to understand AI and make sure it’s working for them rather than against them. Instead of focusing on what AI might take away, the conversation should be on what it can unlock. By offloading mundane tasks, professionals can focus on higher value work, from improving client relationships to making better decisions.
The risk here may not be AI itself but failing to adapt.
Striking the right balance
Despite its advantages, AI is not a standalone solution. The panel was unanimous: human oversight remains critical. Governance is key, and AI must be tested rigorously, especially when it comes to high-stakes decisions and risk management.
One panellist stressed that AI’s is a tool that must be guided and refined. While it enhances efficiency, it still requires human expertise to set parameters, evaluate outcomes and ensure responsible use.
Rather than eliminating the need for human skills, it just shifts the focus. Emotional intelligence, social awareness and client relationships will become even more valuable as AI handles the mechanical, repetitive aspects of trading. As trading desks evolve, firms will need professionals who not only understand the technology but also how to apply it effectively within a broader context.
So, how do we make sure that these essential skills – like judgment, communication and ethical decision-making – remain central as AI takes on more operational tasks?
Shaping the future, not reacting to it
By the end of the session, one thing was clear: AI isn’t something the trading community can afford to ignore. The industry must actively engage with AI rather than passively accept it.
It’s already here, and it’s already changing the way people work. The real opportunity lies in shaping how it’s integrated to make sure it enhances rather than diminishes the human element of trading.
As AI advances and becomes more accessible, its role in trading operations will only grow. The question is no longer whether AI will change the industry – it already is. The real question is: how will you use it to your advantage?
So that leaves me with one final thought: how is AI changing your role today, and where do you see it taking the industry next?
A big thank you to…
Matthew Cousens (Milvus-I Consultancy) for moderating this insightful discussion ‘The Future of Our People – How will AI impact our industry’s workforce?’ with panellists Evan Canwell, CFA (T. Rowe Price), Mark Freeman (Looking After Me), Rugiyya Gahramanli (LSEG), and Samuel Livingstone, CFA (Ambienta).