NIRI 2023: Darrell Heaps of Q4 on using AI to build investor relationships

AI can help IROs focus on maintaining investor relationships

Artificial intelligence (AI) does not replace the human element of IR – it enables teams to have more capacity to focus on building relationships with investors, according to Darrell Heaps, CEO of Q4.

Heaps, who attended the NIRI 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago, spoke on a panel about the importance of relationships, both with existing investors and in attracting new investors. After the panel, IR Magazine spoke to the Q4 boss about his key takeaways from the session as well as how IR teams can best use AI.

‘What’s amazing when you think about AI is its ability to really focus on all the things that are not relationships, such as the tactical elements, administrative aspects and high-level analysis,’ Heaps said.

‘The really powerful thing when you think about an IRO using an AI-powered assistant is [getting answers to] things like: which are the investors I have not been spending time with? Who am I spending all my interactions with?’

Thinking about the limitations of AI, Heaps remarked that despite progress with technology, there will always be a margin of error.

‘We talked in the session around the [myths] that come up in AI, where it will respond and give you a bunch of data,’ he said. ‘But then when you look into it, you realize that’s not right. I think that’s just a maturity point in the technology.’

Share this on:


Upcoming events

  • Awards – Canada
    Thursday, April 2, 2026

    Awards – Canada

    About the event The IR Impact Awards – Canada will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Toronto. This very special event will honor excellence in the investor relations profession across Canada. WHEN WHERE Fairmont Royal York, Toronto Celebrating IR excellence Since the annual event first launched in 1996,…

    Toronto, Canada
  • Forum – Canada
    Thursday, April 2, 2026

    Forum – Canada

    About the event The IR Impact Forum – Canada 2026 brings together investor relations professionals, analysts and governance experts to explore the future of IR in Canada. Designed for today’s rapidly evolving capital markets, the forum delivers practical insights through expert panels, real-world case studies and interactive discussions. Gain fresh…

    Toronto, Canada
  • Awards – Europe
    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    Awards – Europe

    About the event The IR Impact Awards – Europe takes place on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in London. This very special event honors excellence in the investor relations profession across Europe and we are excited to welcome everyone for an evening of fine food and lots of celebrating! WHEN WHERE…

    London, UK

Explore

Andy White, Freelance WordPress Developer London