John O’Connell Featured in WealthManagement.com on WealthTech Panel at RIA Edge LA: AI Agents Are Next Wave of Use for RIAs

John O’Connell played a prominent role as the moderator of a wealthtech panel at the RIA Edge LA conference, covered in this WealthManagement.com article. He emphasized that “2026 is going to be the year of AI agents,” explaining how agents perform multi-step tasks autonomously for RIAs, dramatically improving operational efficiency. He also discussed how AI agents can execute complex workflows based on predefined parameters, allowing RIAs to automate routine responsibilities and free up staff for higher-value activities. The panel also outlined critical readiness steps for firms considering AI agent adoption, including thorough data cleaning, auditing, establishing data governance, and mapping transparent, step-by-step processes to ensure agents function effectively within wealth management operations. Looking ahead, John predicted an evolution from isolated agentic AI solutions to “digital workers” – fully automated systems capable of managing multiple agents and handling sophisticated tasks with minimal human intervention.