Episode 8: You Can’t AI Your Way Out of Bad Data
June 27, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 8 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti dig into the one issue every firm keeps running into: bad data. They explain why AI can only be as good as the information it’s working with, how messy PDFs, inconsistent custodial forms, and outdated workflows slow firms down, and why advisors still rely on manual checks when tools can’t read their documents correctly. The conversation highlights the practical work it takes to turn unstructured documents into usable data for downstream systems, and why that foundation matters long before anyone starts talking about agents or automation. The episode focuses on the realities of getting data right — and why AI can’t fix what the underlying systems never organized in the first place.
Key Topics Covered
- Why bad or incomplete data blocks AI from doing meaningful work
- How inconsistent PDFs and custodial forms slow down advisor workflows
- Why firms still rely on manual checks when documents aren’t machine-readable
- The effort required to turn unstructured documents into usable data
- Why solid data foundations matter before thinking about agents or automation
- The limits of AI when underlying systems aren’t organized properly
Timecode
00:00 Introduction
03:02 The Importance of Data Collection in Wealth Management
06:01 AI Buzz and Its Impact on Wealth Management
08:53 The Role of PDFs in Data Management
11:55 Streamlining Data Ingestion and Client Interaction
14:55 The Future of AI in Wealth Management
18:05 Data-Driven Approaches vs. Document-Driven Workflows
21:03 Leveraging Data for Client Relationships
24:01 The Evolution of Document Processing Technology
30:40 Leveraging AI in Wealth Management
36:01 Data Architecture: Lakes, Warehouses, and Meshes
42:06 The Value of Clean Data in Business
54:51 Looking Ahead
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
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On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 8: You Can’t AI Your Way Out of Bad Data
June 27, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 8 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti dig into the one issue every firm keeps running into: bad data. They explain why AI can only be as good as the information it’s working with, how messy PDFs, inconsistent custodial forms, and outdated workflows slow firms down, and why advisors still rely on manual checks when tools can’t read their documents correctly. The conversation highlights the practical work it takes to turn unstructured documents into usable data for downstream systems, and why that foundation matters long before anyone starts talking about agents or automation. The episode focuses on the realities of getting data right — and why AI can’t fix what the underlying systems never organized in the first place.
Key Topics Covered
- Why bad or incomplete data blocks AI from doing meaningful work
- How inconsistent PDFs and custodial forms slow down advisor workflows
- Why firms still rely on manual checks when documents aren’t machine-readable
- The effort required to turn unstructured documents into usable data
- Why solid data foundations matter before thinking about agents or automation
- The limits of AI when underlying systems aren’t organized properly
Timecode
00:00 Introduction
03:02 The Importance of Data Collection in Wealth Management
06:01 AI Buzz and Its Impact on Wealth Management
08:53 The Role of PDFs in Data Management
11:55 Streamlining Data Ingestion and Client Interaction
14:55 The Future of AI in Wealth Management
18:05 Data-Driven Approaches vs. Document-Driven Workflows
21:03 Leveraging Data for Client Relationships
24:01 The Evolution of Document Processing Technology
30:40 Leveraging AI in Wealth Management
36:01 Data Architecture: Lakes, Warehouses, and Meshes
42:06 The Value of Clean Data in Business
54:51 Looking Ahead
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 8: You Can’t AI Your Way Out of Bad Data
June 27, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 8 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti dig into the one issue every firm keeps running into: bad data. They explain why AI can only be as good as the information it’s working with, how messy PDFs, inconsistent custodial forms, and outdated workflows slow firms down, and why advisors still rely on manual checks when tools can’t read their documents correctly. The conversation highlights the practical work it takes to turn unstructured documents into usable data for downstream systems, and why that foundation matters long before anyone starts talking about agents or automation. The episode focuses on the realities of getting data right — and why AI can’t fix what the underlying systems never organized in the first place.
Key Topics Covered
- Why bad or incomplete data blocks AI from doing meaningful work
- How inconsistent PDFs and custodial forms slow down advisor workflows
- Why firms still rely on manual checks when documents aren’t machine-readable
- The effort required to turn unstructured documents into usable data
- Why solid data foundations matter before thinking about agents or automation
- The limits of AI when underlying systems aren’t organized properly
Timecode
00:00 Introduction
03:02 The Importance of Data Collection in Wealth Management
06:01 AI Buzz and Its Impact on Wealth Management
08:53 The Role of PDFs in Data Management
11:55 Streamlining Data Ingestion and Client Interaction
14:55 The Future of AI in Wealth Management
18:05 Data-Driven Approaches vs. Document-Driven Workflows
21:03 Leveraging Data for Client Relationships
24:01 The Evolution of Document Processing Technology
30:40 Leveraging AI in Wealth Management
36:01 Data Architecture: Lakes, Warehouses, and Meshes
42:06 The Value of Clean Data in Business
54:51 Looking Ahead
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 8: You Can’t AI Your Way Out of Bad Data
June 27, 2025
57 min
In wealth management, data is everything but it’s not always in great shape. In this episode, Haik and George explore the challenges of collecting, organizing, and using data effectively. They take a closer look at why a strong data foundation is essential and why you simply can’t AI your way out of bad data.
Summary
In Episode 8 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti dig into the one issue every firm keeps running into: bad data. They explain why AI can only be as good as the information it’s working with, how messy PDFs, inconsistent custodial forms, and outdated workflows slow firms down, and why advisors still rely on manual checks when tools can’t read their documents correctly. The conversation highlights the practical work it takes to turn unstructured documents into usable data for downstream systems, and why that foundation matters long before anyone starts talking about agents or automation. The episode focuses on the realities of getting data right — and why AI can’t fix what the underlying systems never organized in the first place.
Key Topics Covered
- Why bad or incomplete data blocks AI from doing meaningful work
- How inconsistent PDFs and custodial forms slow down advisor workflows
- Why firms still rely on manual checks when documents aren’t machine-readable
- The effort required to turn unstructured documents into usable data
- Why solid data foundations matter before thinking about agents or automation
- The limits of AI when underlying systems aren’t organized properly
Timecode
00:00 Introduction
03:02 The Importance of Data Collection in Wealth Management
06:01 AI Buzz and Its Impact on Wealth Management
08:53 The Role of PDFs in Data Management
11:55 Streamlining Data Ingestion and Client Interaction
14:55 The Future of AI in Wealth Management
18:05 Data-Driven Approaches vs. Document-Driven Workflows
21:03 Leveraging Data for Client Relationships
24:01 The Evolution of Document Processing Technology
30:40 Leveraging AI in Wealth Management
36:01 Data Architecture: Lakes, Warehouses, and Meshes
42:06 The Value of Clean Data in Business
54:51 Looking Ahead
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.