Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Investment Decisions Under Market Volatility : Manager vs. Machine

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector has consistently increased, driven by the AI boom that began in 2015. However, the amount of prior study of AI-powered instruments is quite limited, especially in volatile market conditions. Furthermore, the number of empirical studies comparing the performance of AI portfolio managers to their human counterparts is notably scarce. Thus, the study aims to fill this gap in the existing literature and determine whether AI outperforms a traditional portfolio manager under volatile market conditions, considering the Ukrainian conflict and Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse. The study divided the sample data into two categories: AI-managed funds and human-managed funds. The event study method was selected as the research approach, with the aim of identifying possible abnormal returns during the events. Abnormal returns were calculated for ±20 days around the event date. Additionally, cumulative and holding period returns for eight separate observation periods were determined. All returns were risk-adjusted using the S&P500 index. Furthermore, a systematic literature review was conducted to examine previous empirical studies. The purpose was to answer a specific research question about psychological and other factors that influence the investment decision-making process and its outcomes between AI and human. The results indicate that neither management approach, AI nor a human portfolio manager, consistently outperformed the other. AI funds exhibited higher abnormal returns during the Ukrainian conflict, while human-managed funds had higher abnormal returns during the SVB collapse. Conversely, AI funds demonstrated higher long-term performance after both events. Furthermore, the findings imply that the selection of better management approach in the investment decision-making depends on specific circumstances. The results highlight that neither decision-making method—AI or human-driven—is mutually exclusive; instead, they serve different purposes, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. A hybrid approach, combining the strengths of both AI and human portfolio managers, could optimize performance across various investment situations, results state. Moreover, the study introduced two hypotheses: H0, the null hypothesis, assumed that the utilization of artificial intelligence has no impact on investment performance in volatile market conditions. Alternatively, H1, the alternative hypothesis, posited that the utilization of artificial intelligence does impact investment performance in volatile market conditions. Based on the results, the null hypothesis, H0, was rejected and while the results suggested strong support to the alternative hypothesis, H1. In addition, it should be noted that the sample size of this thesis could have been larger, but that would have been challenging due to the comprehensive research approach focusing on each individual fund. As a further research proposal, the number of samples and the observation period should be increased in order to create more significant results. Also, another proposal is to enhance this research by integrating AI algorithms into investment decisions at a practical level. However, the implementation can bring challenges due to companies' data encryption principles

Lectio Praecursoria: Routine Work: Authorizing Representation in East Javanese Regional Politics

This lectio summarizes a PhD study of the public activities of East Javanese regional councillors. Analysing the communication of these politicians, the thesis focuses on the ways they authorize their status as representatives of their constituency. The study finds that politics in East Java has a wide selection of authorizations, the use of which depends on the party, the political history, the age, and the gender of the politician. For the councillor, the most decisive factor for the choice of authorizations, however, is the political context. Different public institutions of politics are examined: meetings with the constituency during council recess, public hearings on draft bylaws, election campaign events, and regional council plenary sessions. The authorizations used in these contexts vary greatly, for example, concerning their aspect of ritualization, style of oratory, or way of evidence presented. Keywords: Indonesia, East Java, politics, communication, semiotic ideology, democracy, hierarch

A Safe Bet: Regulating Online Gambling and Lotteries Through the Criminal Code

This paper examines the links between gambling, moral regulation, and politics in Canada. The proliferation of online gaming platforms has resulted in a new wave of gaming expansion, with online casinos and sports betting growing in market share over traditional land-based betting. Does Canada’s Criminal Code and supporting regulatory scheme effectively address the problems posed by online gambling? This paper examines the origins and history of the gambling provisions in the Criminal Code and reviews their development over time through amendments and judicial interpretation. The paper then establishes how the Criminal Code provisions are applied to bets made over the internet. Next, it analyzes the legal issues around the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, an extension of a First Nation’s claim to sovereignty and the most prolific online gambling regulator in the world. The paper concludes with ideas about the next steps in gaming regulation in Canada, suggesting the federal government is better suited than the provinces to provide and regulate gaming done over the internet

KEANE, WEBB. Ethical Life: Its Natural and Social Histories

Kirja-arvostelu. Arvosteltu teos: Keane, W. Ethical Life: Its Natural and Social Histories. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015.Non peer reviewe

Anthropology at an Intersection: A report from 'Relations and beyond: conference of the Finnish Anthropological Society'

The Conference of the Finnish Anthropological Society, held in Rovaniemi, a few kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, marked my return to the realm of face-to-face scholarly gatherings since the start of the pandemic. Taking part in the fervent  exchange of ideas and copious discussions was a riveting experience. All this transpired within the cramped hall-ways of Arktikum, a peculiar architectural amalgam of 1930s totalitarian art deco and utopian glass domes, a seemingly unsuitable venue for an assembly of roughly 300 anthropologists. Yet, despite the spatial constraints, the deft conference team pulled off a remarkable feat, orchestrating a successful affair. It was an environment teeming with off-script encounters and incessant confabulation. After several years of screen-mediated anthropology, the intensity of it all felt intoxicating