From Unicorns to Underwriting: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do

In this episode, we go global with Michael Beda, CEO of Eden Global Capital, as he shares his fascinating journey—from helping shape China’s financial infrastructure to using AI to transform investment workflows in Southeast Asia.

We explore how AI is revolutionizing private equity, risk analysis, and document automation—especially in emerging markets. Michael candidly shares how he went from banning ChatGPT at his firm to watching one analyst deliver the best report of their life—with AI’s help.

From scaling a fintech unicorn to warning entrepreneurs about misusing AI models in messy data environments, this episode is rich with global insight, practical takeaways, and advice for anyone looking to blend finance, innovation, and tech.

• 00:00 – Intro to Michael Beda: From Wall Street dreams to global finance
• 01:46 – Navigating the 2008 crisis and pivoting to China’s financial boom
• 03:28 – Helping launch HuaXia Finance and China’s social credit infrastructure
• 04:24 – The birth of Edoru: Tokenizing private equity to unlock liquidity
• 06:04 – Building Eden Global: Connecting Asian industries with Western capital
• 07:41 – Risk management with AI: Why models fail without clean data
• 11:31 – What private equity taught him about scaling and adaptation
• 15:11 – From 1,200 analysts to 50: How AI could’ve transformed underwriting
• 18:11 – A real-life AI pivot: How one analyst proved AI’s edge at Eden
• 22:48 – Job evolution vs. elimination: Why AI made his team happier
• 25:26 – Practical advice: Learn the tools now or get left behind
• 27:08 – Most impacted industries: Finance, analysis, and creative operations
• 29:15 – AI vs. robotics: What’s real, what’s hype, and what’s still far off
• 31:28 – Personal use of AI: As an executive assistant and scheduling co-pilot
• 33:19 – Advice to entrepreneurs: Start broad, solve one clear problem
• 37:39 – Final take: If nobody would buy it, it’s not worth building

• “AI didn’t replace our analysts. It made them faster, happier, and more creative.”
• “Progress is unstoppable. The only question is whether you’re the Roomba or the person programming it.”
• “Garbage in, garbage out. Models are only as good as the data you feed them.”
• “If you’re starting something new, ask: would someone actually buy this?”

• Michael Beda on LinkedIn
• Eden Global Capital Website
• Taran Agarwal on LinkedIn
• Simplify Tech Website