During a recent Senate oversight hearing, the President of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, revealed a pivotal development – the SEC is harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance surveillance in the financial domain, with a particular focus on identifying signs of fraud and manipulation. Gensler emphasized the active role of AI in examining market trends and highlighting irregular patterns, a strategy aimed at fostering a more secure financial landscape.
A Visionary Position for Enhanced Market Regulation
Gensler’s acknowledgment came in response to a specific question from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, highlighting the SEC’s futuristic approach to market regulation. The President cited the critical role of technology in increasing market surveillance and enforcing regulatory compliance, thereby urging Congress to increase funding in 2024 to strengthen the SEC’s technological arsenal, adeptly adapting to emerging technologies.
Awaiting Formal Recognition
While Gensler had previously alluded to the integration of AI technologies in a speech at the National Press Club on July 17, this official disclosure marks a significant milestone, bringing the SEC’s proactive stance into the public domain. Interestingly, a formal statement outlining the extent and nature of the SEC’s use of AI within the agency is yet to be unveiled. Given the extensive deployment of AI and algorithmic trading documented in various SEC analysis reports, expectations are high for a detailed disclosure on the agency’s strategic application of machine learning algorithms for data analysis.
