-
Following Stanford’s AI Executive Education Program, the Founder and Managing Partner of Ardenwood Advisors shares observations on evaluating artificial intelligence while maintaining appropriate human oversight, privacy, security, and professional judgment.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug 30, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prominent across financial services, advisory firms are considering how the technology may fit within existing workflows while addressing questions involving oversight, information security, privacy, accuracy, and professional responsibility.
For Flora Dong, Founder and Managing Partner of Ardenwood Advisors, those questions became a particular focus after attending the three-day AI Executive Education Program at Stanford. One concept she found especially relevant to wealth management was the distinction between using technology to automate human work and using it to augment human capabilities.
“AI has introduced capabilities that are worth understanding, but I do not think the conversation should begin with how much work a technology can automate,” Dong said. “For me, the more useful starting point is understanding the problem a firm is trying to address and determining what level of human involvement remains appropriate.”
Dong believes that distinction is particularly relevant for registered investment advisers because evaluating new technologies may involve considerations beyond efficiency. Depending on the application and how it is used, firms may need to consider their own policies and procedures, regulatory obligations, information-security practices, privacy considerations, recordkeeping requirements, supervisory processes, and methods for reviewing technology-generated information.
“Being able to perform a task more quickly is different from determining whether a particular use of technology is appropriate,” Dong said. “Firms have to consider the information involved, how an output will be reviewed, and who remains responsible for the work.”
Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as a single category of technology with a uniform role, Dong believes individual applications should be evaluated based on their purpose and circumstances.
AI tools may assist with activities such as organizing information, supporting preliminary research, or performing certain administrative functions. However, the capabilities, limitations, security characteristics, and appropriate uses of individual systems can differ considerably.
That makes human review an important part of the discussion, according to Dong.
“An AI system may produce information quickly, but speed does not eliminate the need to evaluate that information,” she said. “The appropriate level of review will depend on the particular application, the information involved, and the way the technology is being used.”
Dong also points to privacy and information security as considerations when financial services firms evaluate AI. Advisory firms may work with confidential or sensitive information, and introducing third-party technology can raise questions about how information is accessed, processed, retained, and protected.
For that reason, Dong does not believe firms should assume that a technology appropriate for one workflow will necessarily be appropriate for another.
“There is understandable excitement around AI, and I share that interest,” she said. “At the same time, I think firms need to understand the technology they are evaluating and consider how its use fits within their existing responsibilities, policies, and controls.”
The Stanford program also prompted Dong to think more carefully about what happens when technology assists with tasks that have traditionally required significant employee time. While increased efficiency is frequently discussed as a potential benefit of AI, Dong believes firms still have to decide how any resulting capacity would be used.
She cautions against assuming that additional technological capability necessarily translates into a particular business or client outcome.
“Efficiency can be useful, but it is only one consideration,” Dong said. “If a process changes, I think it is important to understand what has actually changed and how the firm will evaluate whether the new process is appropriate for its intended purpose.”
That perspective reflects Dong’s broader view that AI should be evaluated as a tool rather than as a substitute for professional responsibility.
In wealth management, professionals regularly encounter circumstances in which information must be considered within the context of an individual client’s objectives, needs, and circumstances. Dong believes technology may assist with portions of that work without eliminating the need for people to evaluate information and exercise appropriate professional judgment.
“The more capable these technologies become, the more important it may be to clearly define where the technology is assisting and where the person remains responsible,” Dong said. “I do not see exploring AI and maintaining human judgment as competing ideas. The challenge is determining how they can appropriately coexist.”
Dong expects artificial intelligence to continue evolving, making it difficult to predict precisely how the technology will ultimately affect wealth management. Rather than making broad predictions about automation or the future of the advisor’s role, she believes firms can benefit from approaching individual applications deliberately and evaluating them within their own circumstances.
“We are still learning what these technologies can and cannot do,” Dong said. “For me, that makes thoughtful evaluation more important. The question is not simply whether AI can perform a task. It is why we are using it, what risks and limitations need to be considered, how its work will be reviewed, and where human judgment remains necessary.”
As AI capabilities continue to develop, Dong expects those questions to remain part of the broader conversation about technology in financial services.
About Flora Dong
Flora Dong is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ardenwood Advisors, an independent registered investment advisory firm based in Palo Alto, California. With more than 25 years of experience in wealth management, she works with individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and business owners, including many with financial interests across multiple countries. Her work may include investment advisory services, wealth planning, family office support, and coordination with clients’ other professional advisors, depending on each client’s circumstances.
Dong has been recognized by Forbes among America’s Top Wealth Advisors, Top Women Advisors, and Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. Any third-party rankings or recognitions should be considered in accordance with the methodology, eligibility criteria, and time period applicable to the particular recognition and are not indicative of future performance or client experience.
Important Disclosure
This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Arden Global Family Offices employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Arden Global Family Offices or performance returns of any Arden Global Family Offices client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Arden Global Family Offices manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
No advice may be rendered by Arden Global Family Offices unless a client service agreement is in place.
