2026 will be the year agent armies awaken
Waters Wrap: Several AI experts have recently said that the next 12 months will see significant progress for agentic AI. Are capital markets firms ready for this shift from generative AI to agents?
At a conference last March, Symon Garfield, Microsoft’s director of capital markets and digital strategy, had this to say: “Generative AI is completely passé. It’s two years old now; everybody’s doing it. This is the year of agentic AI.”
While the word passé—adjective: past one’s prime; behind the times—might be a bit hyperbolic, agentic AI certainly did grab the headlines in 2025. For proof, Ethan Mollick, the famed AI researcher, author, and professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@waterstechnology.com or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.waterstechnology.com/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
More on Emerging Technologies
How banks are utilizing new AI forms in their KYC process
Execs from JP Morgan, ING, and Standard Chartered explain how they are looking to use agentic AI to streamline KYC workflows.
SmartTrade eyes role as direct streaming linchpin
The vendor plans to tap into growing demand for direct API trading solutions across asset classes.
Blue water rafting: How RBC’s AI Group is navigating the AI rapids
After forming its new AI Group, RBC is building a governance layer to help minimize risks posed by agentic AI.
Taking tokenization from pilot to playbook
IMD Wrap: Firms eager to use tokens should find specific use cases that bring immediate value, rather than try everything at once, Wei-Shen writes.
Tata’s ‘self-healing network,’ 24X’s uphill battle, Gresham’s new ‘Opus’ and more
A look at some of the biggest stories and news from the past week.
Waters Wavelength Ep. 349: The other Amsterdam and more Cusip drama
This week, Reb joins Shen to give an update on the latest legal fight involving Cusip Global Services.
ExeQution Analytics aims to reduce agent hallucinations with new tool
The five-year-old company is launching an agentic tool to help trading, quant, and IT teams get more value from their data.
Nasdaq and Talos partner for tokenized collateral management, new prediction markets offerings, and more
The Waters Cooler: Allvue adds private markets performance benchmarking and Equinix scales datacenter talent program in this week’s news roundup.
