‘Humans are the most important part’ of investing, says a fund manager whose firm makes every call with algorithms

📅 Last updated: December 27, 2025

In a world increasingly captivated by the promise of artificial intelligence, one of the most compelling testimonies to human value is coming from an unlikely source: a fund manager whose entire investment process is driven by algorithms.

At first glance, the premise seems contradictory. If a firm like VantagePoint AI, which utilizes a sophisticated suite of intermarket analysis algorithms to make every single trading decision, is beating its benchmark, what role could humans possibly play? According to its founder and CEO, Lane Mendelsohn, the answer is everything. “Humans are the most important part,” he asserts, a statement that unravels a critical nuance in the conversation about finance and technology.

This isn’t a story about man versus machine, but about symbiosis. The fund’s reported success is not achieved by removing human judgment, but by strategically redirecting it. The algorithm handles the immense, inhuman workload, liberating the human fund managers from the tyranny of data crunching and emotional reactivity.

“The algorithms do the ‘what’ and the ‘when.’ But the ‘why’ and the ‘so what’—that’s where our team is irreplaceable.”

Context is King in a Data-Driven World

An algorithm can flag a predictive pattern suggesting a downturn. A human manager, however, can contextualize that signal. They can weigh it against:

• Breaking news about a geopolitical event.
• A sudden technological breakthrough.
• Broader market sentiment and narrative.

The algorithm provides a powerful, probability-based signal; the human provides the narrative framework.

The Ethical Compass and Strategic Guardrails

Humans set the boundaries within which the AI operates. This includes:

• Defining risk parameters and position limits.
• Establishing ethical guidelines (e.g., avoiding certain industries).
• Ensuring strategy aligns with the fund’s philosophy and client expectations.

An AI is an optimization engine; without human guidance, its goal could be narrowly defined as pure, short-term return. Human managers are the stewards, ensuring the technology serves a responsible purpose.

The Irreplaceable Human Touch: Client Relationships

Perhaps the most profoundly human aspect remains client relationships and communication. Trust, empathy, and the ability to explain complex strategies during volatile periods are inherently human skills that no algorithm can replicate.

Key Takeaways

• Symbiosis, Not Replacement: The most effective model combines AI’s computational power with human judgment.
• Humans Provide Critical Context: People interpret algorithmic signals within a wider narrative of news, ethics, and strategy.
• Oversight is Essential: Humans must set the ethical and strategic guardrails for automated systems.
• The Relationship Factor: Building client trust and explaining complex outcomes remain uniquely human roles.