John O’Connell Published in Advisor Perspectives by VettaFi: The SEC Isn’t Coming. That’s the Problem.

John O’Connell authored this article in Advisor Perspectives by VettaFi discussing the AI governance gap in the wealth management industry. Right now, a lot of RIA principals have looked at the current SEC and decided they have breathing room on AI. He understands the reasoning. But disagrees with the conclusion.

The next 3-4 years represent an opportunity for wealth management firms. Practices that build AI governance programs during this window do so on their own terms. They choose the frameworks. They set the timelines. They design programs that fit their business model rather than programs that fit a regulator’s template. Firms that wait will build in response to an examiner’s finding, a FINRA deficiency letter, or rulemaking produced by an administration with different priorities. That is a very different experience.