Matsuo Institute, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tofuku Kawakami) will launch the "AI Quant Trading Course 2026 Summer ~ Theory and Practice of AI Investment Strategies Tackling Finance x Data ~" starting in August 2026, targeting students interested in finance, data science, and AI. This course is offered to students as part of Matsuo Institute's AI education program, "Matsuo Lab AI Program." The goal is to foster "AI Quant Talent," a field with few systematic learning opportunities in Japan, and it is a 10-session practical program offered free of charge. ■ Background In recent years, with the increasing sophistication of asset management, "quantative management," which involves understanding markets through data and making investment decisions using mathematical models and algorithms, has become globally important. Furthermore, recent advancements in AI technology have enabled applications in areas previously dependent on human judgment, such as interpreting unstructured text like analyst reports and automating strategy exploration using large language models (LLMs), dramatically expanding the framework of quantitative management. On the other hand, quantitative finance is a field that requires particularly high expertise within the financial sector, and currently, there are not enough opportunities in Japan for students to systematically learn from fundamentals to advanced applications and connect this to their future careers. In response to these challenges, Matsuo Institute has launched this course as a learning opportunity for the next generation of talent interested in quantitative management and financial AI to take their first step. ■ Course Overview This is a 10-session practical course that serves as an entry point for the next generation of quants who will lead asset management in the AI era. Primarily focusing on the stock market, it comprehensively covers everything from the basic theories of traditional quantitative ma