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As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies quickly evolve, regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace.

Investors cannot rely on established regulation to ensure responsible development and use of AI. The abrdn objective is to work with the companies we invest in to encourage a future where AI delivers sustainable benefits for shareholders and other stakeholders.

Heightened investor scrutiny of AI practices has become evident in shareholder resolutions filed at the annual meetings of several companies - from technology giants to entertainment businesses. These annual meetings allowed us to connect our research on AI with targeted engagement, voting, and, where necessary, public statements to encourage change.

AI has no concept of the value of materials or ethics. Without clear governance and oversight, its outcomes may diverge from important, qualitative objectives and threaten sustainable value creation.

AI has rapidly emerged as a transformative force with the potential to greatly benefit users and society. Its ability to enhance efficiency, productivity, and innovation is promising. However, it also poses risks. AI has no concept of the value of materials or ethics. Without clear governance and oversight, its outcomes may diverge from important, qualitative objectives and threaten sustainable value creation. 

That is why we consider it crucial that companies with significant exposure to AI demonstrate:

  • Robust governance and oversight
  • Strong ethical guidelines
  • Appropriate due diligence
  • Transparent practices

Where AI is likely to significantly impact operations and labor relations, we believe it is prudent for companies to demonstrate a responsible approach at the earliest opportunity. Collaborating with the workforce is not just a strategy, but a necessity that can enable companies to mitigate adverse outcomes and avoid costly disruption to labor relations.

Governance and oversight

Some companies may be able to demonstrate robust governance and oversight mechanisms through existing structures. However, those with extensive and complex operations involving both the development and use of AI technologies could benefit from dedicated governance structures.

We considered Amazon to be such a company and supported a shareholder resolution requesting the creation of a board committee on AI. We also made a public statement to encourage the company and other investors to consider how governance and oversight could be developed.

Governance and oversight structures always need to reflect a company’s circumstances. In some circumstances, a dedicated structure for AI could consolidate and enhance oversight, helping a company ensure a consistent approach across its operations.

Ethical guidelines

Ethical guidelines, or responsible AI principles, offer companies another way to ensure consistency. They set out the principles guiding how a company will develop and deploy AI ethically, responsibly, and trustworthy. In February, we voted for an AI resolution at Apple. The resolution asked Apple to prepare a transparency report and disclose any ethical guidelines the company has adopted regarding its use of AI technology.

We met Apple and the resolution proponent to discuss their opposing arguments in more detail. In our view, the company is exposed to various risks associated with AI. The requested disclosure, including ethical guidelines, could provide shareholders with evidence of an approach that can protect long-term value.

We were concerned that Apple had not indicated when it would disclose ethical guidelines. To reinforce our message to the company, we made a public statement supporting the resolution. Although the resolution failed to pass, we were encouraged by the notable level of support it received.

Due diligence

To be truly effective, robust governance, oversight, and ethical guidelines must be accompanied by rigorous due diligence. Conducting due diligence allows companies to identify and address risks. This may slow down aspects of development, implementation, and launch; however, if it enables a bold idea to be delivered responsibly, that is a price worth paying. This was a key topic in our engagement with Meta.

Advertising is Meta’s primary source of revenue. Using personal and behavioral data in targeted advertising exposes users to the risk of privacy violations, while algorithms may unintentionally encourage bias and discrimination. When we met the company, we discussed how it uses AI in targeted advertising. AI presents opportunities for Meta to deliver targeted advertising more profitably, but its capabilities pose risks as scale and complexity increase.

We recognize these opportunities but maintain that an independent review of the company’s risk management would provide investors with a proportionate level of assurance and support sustainable value creation.

The company has also faced high-profile controversies regarding misinformation and disinformation, and the use of generative AI gives rise to new issues.1 Meta is clearly taking some steps to manage risk through mechanisms for content removal, content identification, and labeling.

Nonetheless, after our engagement, we remained concerned that Meta is insufficiently prepared to manage the potential volume of third-party, AI-generated content. The risks associated with this, in a critical year for democratic elections worldwide, are well documented.

Our research and engagement led us to support resolutions to address these concerns and demonstrate to investors how Meta’s AI due diligence is building on its governance and oversight mechanisms and Responsible AI Pillars to protect shareholder interests.

Transparency

A common thread underpins the principles discussed above: transparency. Without it, investors cannot understand a company's approach. There are limits—some information will be commercially sensitive.

It is also important to acknowledge that reporting standards for AI are limited and that disclosures must evolve to keep pace with technological developments. However, these are also the factors that make transparent reporting so crucial. Without voluntary transparency, there is a risk that companies will be subject to burdensome regulation.

We have discussed AI transparency with several companies and were encouraged by their interest in investor views and desire to make disclosure valuable and efficient. Microsoft has disclosed extensive information on its approach to AI. We are pleased to have provided feedback on how its pioneering Responsible AI Transparency Report could evolve.2

Labor relations

To support the adoption of AI, companies may also need to consider its impact on the workforce. As AI use becomes more widespread, non-technical staff will require training to understand its opportunities, limitations, and ethics. Like those impacted by the energy transition, workers may also require access to retraining to adapt to the changing labor market. 

The entertainment industry has already witnessed debate and disruption due to concerns over the use of AI in film and television production, resulting in the Hollywood strikes of 2023.3 Several entertainment companies received shareholder resolutions on AI use as a result. This serves as a cautionary example of how apprehension about AI's role can disrupt businesses.

There appears to be merit in demonstrating a responsible approach to adopting AI as quickly as possible to reassure key stakeholders. We used our engagement and voting to encourage this approach at selected companies in the sector. Ultimately, collaborating with the workforce will help companies to realize the full potential of AI.

Final thoughts

Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” This certainly appears to be true when we consider the AI landscape. Companies face a significant and evolving challenge in adapting to, harnessing, and mitigating the risks of AI. As investors, we aim to understand how we can support and collaborate with companies to help them meet this challenge. A focus on robust governance and oversight, ethical guidelines, appropriate due diligence, and transparency will continue to define the abrdn approach. As the technology develops, we believe these issues will remain crucial to AI's responsible development and use.

1 "Meta shutters tool used to fight disinformation, despite outcry." NPR News, August 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/nx-s1-5074143/meta-shutters-tool-used-to-fight-disinformation-despite-outcry.
2 Responsible AI Transparency Report. Microsoft, May 2024. https://cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com ... Responsible-AI-Transparency-Report-2024.pdf.
3 "What’s behind Hollywood’s latest wave of layoffs? The business is in reset mode." Los Angeles Times, August 2024. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/newsletter/2024-08-20/wide-shot-summer-of-layoffs-paramount-television-studios-the-wide-shot.

Important information

Projections are offered as opinion and are not reflective of potential performance. Projections are not guaranteed and actual events or results may differ materially.

Any individual companies or other securities discussed above have been selected for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate abrdn's views or investment management style. They're not meant as an investment recommendation, indication of future performance or as an indication of any holdings by abrdn.

AA-230824-182190-1

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Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees, charges, and expenses before investing any money. To obtain this and other fund information, please call 866-667-9231 to request a summary prospectus and/or prospectus, or download at www.abrdn.com/us. Please read the summary prospectus and/or prospectus carefully before investing any money.

Aberdeen Fund Distributors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of abrdn Inc. abrdn Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of abrdn plc. abrdn Funds are distributed by Aberdeen Fund Distributors LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC. 1900 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia PA, 19103.

NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

For ETFs, please call 844-383-7289 or click here to access a prospectus online. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund.

Important Risks

The abrdn Gold ETF Trust, abrdn Silver ETF Trust, abrdn Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, abrdn Platinum ETF Trust and abrdn Palladium ETF Trust are not investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Shares of the Trusts are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. These investments are not suitable for all investors. Trusts focusing on a single commodity generally experience greater volatility.

Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. Trusts focusing on a single commodity generally experience greater volatility. Please refer to the prospectus for complete information regarding all risks associated with the Trusts. Shares in the Trusts are not FDIC insured and may lose value and have no bank guarantee.

The value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the precious metal held by the Trust and fluctuations in the price could materially adversely affect investment in the Shares. Several factors may affect the price of precious metals, including:

A change in economic conditions, such as a recession, can adversely affect the price of the precious metal held by the Trust. Some metals are used in a wide range of industrial applications, and an economic downturn could have a negative impact on its demand and, consequently, its price and the price of the Shares;

Investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;

Currency exchange rates;

Interest rates;

Investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and

Global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of the precious metal held by the trust or producing companies, it could cause a decline in world precious metal prices, adversely affecting the price of the Shares. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of the precious metal held by the Trusts or producing companies, it could cause a decline in world precious metal prices, adversely affecting the price of the shares.

Also, should the speculative community take a negative view towards the precious metal held by the Trusts, it could cause a decline in prices, negatively impacting the price of the shares. There is a risk that part or all of the Trusts’ physical precious metal could be lost, damaged or stolen. Failure by the Custodian or Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the precious metal held by the Trusts could result in a loss to the Trusts.

The Trusts will not insure its precious metals and shareholders cannot be assured that the custodian will maintain adequate insurance or any insurance with respect to the precious metals held by the custodian on behalf of the Trust. Consequently, a loss may be suffered with respect to the Trust’s precious metal that is not covered by insurance.

Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors.

Investors buy and sell shares on a secondary market (i.e., not directly from Trusts). Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Trusts, typically in blocks of 25k to 100k shares.

Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. This material must be accompanied or preceded by the prospectus. Carefully consider each Trust’s investment objectives, risk factors, and fees and expenses before investing. Please click here to review the prospectus.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the marketing agent for the abrdn Gold ETF Trust, abrdn Silver ETF Trust, abrdn Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, abrdn Platinum ETF Trust and abrdn Palladium ETF Trust.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for abrdn ETFs.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with the companies of abrdn.

'40 Act Fund Disclosure:

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the ETFs carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, call 1-844-383-7289 or visit www.abrdn.com/us/etf. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Fund Risk: There are risks associated with investing including possible loss of principal. Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objective will be met at any time. The commodities markets and the prices of various commodities may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. Because the Fund's performance is linked to the performance of highly volatile commodities, investors should consider purchasing shares of the Fund only as part of an overall diversified portfolio and should be willing to assume the risks of potentially significant fluctuations in the value of the Fund. Actively managed ETFs do not necessarily seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Actively managed ETFs are subject to risks similar to stocks, including those related to short selling and margin maintenance. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the index.

Through holding of futures, options and options on futures contracts, the Fund may be exposed to (i) losses from margin deposits in the case of bankruptcy of the relevant broker, and (ii) a risk that the relevant position cannot be close out when required at its fundamental value. In pursuing its investment strategy, particularly when rolling futures contracts, the Fund may engage in frequent trading of its portfolio of securities, resulting in a high portfolio turnover rate.
As a "non-diversified" fund, the Fund may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of Shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

During situations where the cost of any futures contracts for delivery on dates further in the future is higher than those for delivery closer in time, the value of the Fund holding such contracts will decrease over time unless the spot price of that contract increases by the same rate as the rate of the variation in the price of the futures contract. The rate of variation could be quite significant and last for an indeterminate period of time, reducing the value of the Fund.

Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary are organized, respectively, could result in the inability of the Subsidiary to operate as intended and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.

To the extent the Fund is exposed directly or indirectly to leverage (through investments in commodities futures contracts) the value of that Fund may be more volatile than if no leverage were present.

In order to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to a regulated investment company ("RIC"), the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from certain categories of income ("qualifying income") and must satisfy certain asset diversification requirements. Certain of the Fund’s investments will not generate income that is qualifying income. The Fund intends to hold such commodity-related investments indirectly, through the Subsidiary. The Fund believes that income from the Subsidiary will be qualifying income because it expects that the Subsidiary will make annual distributions of its earnings and profits. [However, there can be no certainty in this regard, as the Fund has not sought or received an opinion of counsel confirming that the Subsidiary’s operations and resulting distributions would produce qualifying income for the Fund.] If the Fund were to fail to meet the qualifying income test or asset diversification requirements and fail to qualify as a RIC, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Investors buy and sell shares on a secondary market (i.e., not directly from the Trust). Only market makers or authorized participants may trade directly with the funds, typically in blocks of 25K to 100K shares.

The abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals K-1 Free ETF is new and has limited operating history.

“Bloomberg®” and “Bloomberg Commodity Index Total ReturnSM,” “Bloomberg Commodity Index 3 Month ForwardSM” and “Bloomberg Industrial Metals Subindex Total ReturnSM” are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index Services Limited (“BISL”), the administrator of the indices (collectively, “Bloomberg”) and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Bloomberg is not affiliated with abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC, and Bloomberg does not approve, endorse, review, or recommend abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI), abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCD), and abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals K-1 Free ETF (BCIM). Bloomberg does not guarantee the timeliness, accurateness, or completeness of any data or information relating to Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return, Bloomberg Commodity Index 3 Month Forward” and “Bloomberg Industrial Metals Subindex Total Return".

Please see the current prospectus, www.abrdn.com/us/etf for more information regarding the risk associated with an investment in the Funds.

S&P 500: The S&P 500 Index is the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.

Standard Deviation: Standard deviation is a statistical measure of the extent to which returns of an asset vary from its average.

Bloomberg Commodity Index: The Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) is a broadly diversified commodity price index distributed by Bloomberg Indexes.

Discount- A situation when the share price of a fund trades below its net asset value.

Premium- A situation when the share price of a fund trades above its net asset value.

The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market.

Annualized Volatility is a statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given security or market index

Beta is a measure of the volatility, or systematic risk, of an individual stock in comparison to the unsystematic risk of the entire market

Sharpe ratio is the average return earned in excess of the risk-free rate per unit of volatility or total risk
NAV or Net Asset Value represents the per share/unit price of the fund on a specific date or time.

All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing.

abrdn offers a variety of products and services intended solely for investors from certain countries or regions. abrdn does not offer these products or services outside their intended countries or regions. Your country of legal residence will determine the products or services that will be available to you. Nothing on this website should be considered a solicitation or offering for sale of any investment product or service to any person in any jurisdiction where such solicitation or offer would be unlawful.

Persons residing outside the United States are invited to visit our global website for more information about products and services available to non-U.S. investors.

Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments; are not suitable for all clients; and intended for experienced and sophisticated investors who meet specific suitability requirements and are willing to bear the high economic risks of the investment. Investments of this type may engage in speculative investment practices; carry additional risk of loss, including possibility of partial or total loss of invested capital, due to the nature and volatility of the underlying investments; and are generally considered to be illiquid due to restrictive repurchase procedures. These investments may also involve different regulatory and reporting requirements, complex tax structures, and delays in distributing important tax information.

Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.

Among the risks presented by private equity investing are substantial commitment requirements, credit risk, lack of liquidity, fees associated with investing, lack of control over investments and or governance, investment risks, leverage and tax considerations. Private equity investments can also be affected by environmental conditions / events, political and economic developments, taxes and other government regulations

Property investments may carry additional risk of loss due to the nature and volatility of the underlying investments and may not be available for investment by investors unless the investor meets certain regulatory requirements. In considering the prior performance information contained herein, potential investors should bear in mind that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, and there can be no assurance that such investments will achieve comparable results.


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The purpose of this website is to provide general information about the US-registered investment advisers which are part of abrdn, and the strategies they manage. The information provided is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there can be no guarantee as to the accuracy of market forecasts. Opinions, estimates, and forecasts may be changed without notice. This site does not provide financial or investment advice and does not take into account the particular financial circumstances of individual investors. Before investing, investors should seek their own professional advice. The views and opinions expressed are provided for general information only, and do not constitute specific tax, legal, or investment advice to, or recommendations for, any person. We suggest that you consult your financial or tax advisor, accountant, or attorney with regard to your specific situation.

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