Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, one of the world's largest hedge funds, says AI agents are now completing high-skill financial tasks in hours or days-tasks that once required teams of PhDs weeks or months.
This isn't about basic automation. AI is taking on analytical roles: building financial models, running quantitative research, and synthesizing datasets for trading strategies. Griffin admitted the speed of change left him feeling "depressed," acknowledging that the transformation is faster than even top finance leaders anticipated.
In practice, a process that traditionally involved weeks of data gathering, model building, and stress-testing is now compressed into days. The AI handles data collection, runs models, flags anomalies, and produces preliminary analysis. This shift will dramatically reduce headcount, with value shifting to those who can direct and audit AI outputs.
While Griffin didn't mention crypto, Citadel's broad market presence means these changes will affect every asset class it trades. For finance and crypto professionals, the message is clear: pure technical knowledge is declining in value relative to the ability to orchestrate AI tools effectively.