Core Insights - The article discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (A.I.) on the financial services industry, particularly in securities operations, as observed by SS&C Technologies, a company with a long history in IT revolutions [2][3][4] Group 1: A.I. and Technological Evolution - A.I.-based technologies are expected to enhance the systems across front-, middle-, and back-offices of financial services firms [2] - SS&C Technologies has been proactive in adopting A.I. and related technologies, acquiring Blue Prism for $1.6 billion to bolster its capabilities in robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning (ML) [5] - The company has created 3,500 "digital workers" and has made approximately 80 acquisitions to expand its service offerings [6] Group 2: Historical Context and Lessons - The CEO of SS&C, Bill Stone, emphasizes the importance of learning from past technological waves, such as the rise of minicomputers and workstations, to understand the current A.I. revolution [7][8] - Historical advancements in IT have consistently driven down costs related to securities transactions, proving their value to the market [10] Group 3: Integration and Operational Support - SS&C is leveraging A.I. to improve integration support for its various software offerings and services [12] - The company has experienced fluctuations in headcount based on economic conditions, indicating a cautious approach to layoffs in response to technological changes [13] Group 4: Recent Acquisitions and Future Directions - SS&C recently acquired Calastone for approximately £766 million (US $1.03 billion), enhancing its capabilities in digital asset custody and fund administration [14][15] - The integration of Calastone's solutions is expected to provide a unified operating platform that reduces costs and operational risks for clients in the fund industry [16]