Director of the Securities and Investments Practice
Datos Insights
William Trout serves as Director of the Securities and Investments practice at Datos Insights, focusing on technology strategy and innovation in the capital markets. He has particular expertise in platform automation; data capture, storage and analytics; and portfolio management and optimization. Within the wealth and asset management arena, his interests include investment advisory and wholesaling and distribution services, as well as private banking and trust.
Will's research and consulting work is informed by more than more than two decades of industry experience. Prior to joining Datos Insights, Will led wealth and asset management in the U.S. and the U.K. at Celent, a division of Oliver Wyman, before launching separate advisor- and investor-focused research practices at Javelin Strategy & Research. Prior to those roles, Will spent many years in product and segment management at BBVA Compass, where he helped guide the introduction of a pioneering managed-accounts platform and the expansion of banking and investments services targeting high-net-worth and institutional investors.
An authority on digital advice delivery, Will has been widely quoted in the trade press as well as in publications such as the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and gatherings. In his spare time, Will is an avid runner and reader of history.
Will holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in wealth management, many firms are deploying both internal chatbots and AI agents—but how to use each effectively can be confusing. In this session, we’ll demystify these two powerful tools, breaking down their core functions, ideal use cases, and how they can complement (not compete with) one another across the client service lifecycle.
You’ll walk away with a clear framework for:
– Understanding the differences in intelligence, autonomy, and functionality between internal chatbots and AI agents.
– Identifying which tasks are best suited for each—from simple information retrieval to complex multi-step client actions.
– Mapping AI tools to specific advisor workflows, from onboarding and CRM updates to meeting prep and follow-up.
– Avoiding common mistakes that lead to inefficiencies or missed opportunities in AI strategy.
Whether you’re an advisor looking to boost productivity or a firm leader building an AI roadmap, this session will help you deploy the right tool, in the right place, at the right time.