CTO Seever Sulaiman on AI, Machine Learning, and the Virtual Economist | March 17, 2026

Описание: Welcome to this week's episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Jim Glennon sits down with Optimal Blue CTO Seever Sulaiman to discuss the Virtual Economist, a first-of-its-kind AI assistant that combines generative AI with proprietary machine learning models built on Optimal Blue data.

Seever breaks down how AI and machine learning actually work, how Optimal Blue is using both to increase development capacity and build smarter tools for lenders, and what the Virtual Economist can do for mortgage professionals right now.

Alex Hebner and James Cahill open with a market update on the Iran conflict, oil prices, the Fed, and the ROAD to Housing Act. They share their expert opinions and insights into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape.

Key Points:
• The Virtual Economist uses proprietary Optimal Blue machine learning models plus real-time economic data to answer complex mortgage and economic questions in plain English
• Seever explains the difference between generative AI and machine learning, and why human oversight remains essential in financial engineering
• Optimal Blue has deployed more than 12 AI agents into its platform, focused on helping mortgage professionals work faster and more accurately without replacing headcount

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
1:14 Market Update: PCE, GDP, and Economic Overview
2:03 Iran War, Oil Prices, and Inflation Risk
8:22 Housing Legislation and Executive Orders
15:03 Fed Chair Succession and Powell's Final FOMC Meeting
17:12 CTO Seever Sulaiman on AI at Optimal Blue
18:14 Generative AI vs. Machine Learning Explained
21:12 How Optimal Blue Uses AI to Increase Capacity
26:36 Machine Learning in Mortgage: Predictions and Proprietary Models
33:47 Introducing the Virtual Economist
36:31 Live Demo: Virtual Economist in Action
43:21 Closing Remarks

Optimal Insights Team:
• Jim Glennon, SVP of Hedging and Trading Operations
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager
• James Cahill, MSF/MSR Account Manager

Special Guest:
• Seever Sulaiman, Chief Technology Officer, Optimal Blue

Production Team:
• Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
• Producer: Matt Gilhooly

Commentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice.