Building AI-driven Hedge Fund Infrastructure with Jakub Polec

In this conversation, Jakub shares his insights on the evolution of AI in finance, emphasizing the importance of specialized AI agents and the need for a robust infrastructure. He discusses his transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and rewards of building a startup. Jakub also offers practical advice on team dynamics, customer acquisition, and learning AI, stressing the significance of being customer-obsessed and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced tech landscape.

Episode # 160

Today's Guest:

Jakub Polec, Head of Quant, AI/ML Research Manager for Systematic Strategies, Quant Journey

He has over 23 years of experience in IT and finance, excelling in regional leadership roles at Oracle, Microsoft, France Telecom, T-Mobile, and in hedge funds. He combines a strong scientific background from the University of Warsaw and CERN with deep tech expertise. As an entrepreneur, he has successfully launched, scaled, and exited ventures in AI/ML, MLOps, NLP, and e-commerce.

• Website: Quant Journey
• Youtube: Quant Journey

What Listeners Will Learn:

• AI in finance requires specialized agents for better results. 
• Building a business around AI is more about organization than technology.
• Startup teams should balance experience with passion.
• Customer obsession is key to success in any business.
• Bootstrapping can lead to faster product development.
• Learning AI should be practical and application-focused.
• Engaging with the community can enhance learning.
• AI can automate many tasks traditionally done by humans.
• Effective leadership inspires and empowers teams.
• The landscape of technology is rapidly changing, making it easier to innovate.

Resources:

• Quant Journey