Business School Hires Quant Finance Expert to Build Machine Learning Program
The University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School is hiring Petter Kolm, a quantitative finance researcher who spent nearly two decades leading the financial mathematics program at New York University's Courant Institute, to develop its AI for Finance and machine learning offerings.
Kolm, who previously worked in the Quantitative Strategies Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, has been named Quant of the Year twice. His research covers quantitative trading, portfolio management, financial machine learning, market microstructure and risk management. He starts this summer.
The hire reflects a strategic decision by Miami Herbert to expand technical depth as artificial intelligence reshapes financial markets. Machine learning now drives trading strategies, risk assessment and portfolio decisions across the industry.
What Kolm Plans to Build
Kolm said he chose Miami Herbert for its commitment to integrating machine learning into business education from the ground up. "Being able to build something new, lay the foundational bricks for quantitative finance, is super exciting," he said.
His teaching will focus on two things: technical concepts and real-world application. Students need to understand not just how to use tools, but when and why to use them.
"Just because a tool can give you an answer, it does not mean you understand it," Kolm said. "You need that foundation to be able to evaluate and apply it effectively."
What's Changing in Finance Education
Machine learning tools are becoming more accessible, but that's creating a gap. Technical knowledge alone no longer qualifies finance professionals for the field.
"The most important skill is the ability to adapt to rapid technological change," Kolm said. Foundational skills in mathematics, data analysis and communication remain essential, even as AI tools grow more capable.
Kolm emphasized that students entering the field will need curiosity alongside technical ability. "My goal is not only to teach technical tools, but also to help students develop the judgment and curiosity to keep learning as the field evolves," he said.
The appointment aligns with Miami Herbert's broader goal to strengthen academic programs and advance its standing among U.S. business schools. For educators building finance curricula, Kolm's focus on foundational skills alongside emerging tools offers a model: neither technical depth nor adaptability alone is sufficient. Both matter.
Learn more about AI for Education and how institutions are integrating machine learning into business programs.
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