Revolutionizing Investing: 78% of Global Respondents Now Rely on AI for Investment Insights

The investment landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a pivotal component in the decision-making process. A recent study by BridgeWise, a leading wealth AI provider, reveals that 78.3% of respondents across 19 countries are already utilizing AI tools to inform their investment choices. This statistic underscores a definitive tipping point in the adoption of AI, with nearly half (45.7%) of these individuals relying on AI either always or often when seeking investment information.

The study, titled the State of AI for Wealth in 2026, offers a comprehensive global map of AI adoption, highlighting the imperative for financial institutions to rapidly adapt to existing demand and evolving user expectations. The report introduces the Global Wealth AI Optimism Index, a proprietary benchmark that evaluates countries based on four key pillars: Adoption, Confidence, Edge, and Momentum. This index provides a nuanced understanding of the global landscape, shedding light on regions that are at the forefront of AI adoption and those that are poised for significant growth.

The Middle East has emerged as the top-ranked region globally, surpassing APAC, North America, and Europe in both current adoption rates and future momentum. Similarly, Latin America (LATAM) outperformed established markets, ranking first in the world for reported confidence in AI and the belief that it provides a strategic edge. These findings indicate a redrawn global map, where traditionally highly regulated financial markets must now navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by widespread AI adoption.

A significant market opportunity has been identified among the 'Untapped Believers,' approximately 29.3% of respondents who do not currently use AI for investment research but express trust in its accuracy. This demographic highlights the primary barrier to AI adoption as the lack of accessible tools and clear entry points within the wealth ecosystem, rather than fundamental skepticism. Addressing this gap could unlock a substantial market segment, paving the way for further growth in AI-powered investing.

The study also sheds light on a gender divide in confidence in AI accuracy, with men reporting confidence at 81.7% compared to 70.6% among women. Furthermore, men constitute 60% of those who believe AI gives a competitive investment edge, compared to 40% among women. As AI becomes the default research tool for global investors, this divide in confidence could have significant implications for financial outcomes, emphasizing the need for inclusive and accessible AI solutions.

Looking ahead, the report identifies a 'Great Research Migration,' with 65.1% of respondents indicating a likelihood to replace manual investment research with AI-driven tools in the coming year. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger users, with 57.8% of respondents aged 18-35 already frequent AI users, compared to only 26.9% of those over the age of 50. This shift underscores the evolving nature of investment research and the critical role AI is poised to play in shaping the future of the financial industry.

BridgeWise CEO Gaby Diamant notes, 'The competitive divide in the wealth space will no longer be between humans and machines, but between those who have access to specialized, wealth-native intelligence and those still navigating the global market with generic tools.' The mandate, as underscored by the study's findings, is to develop AI that is explainable, accurate, and purpose-built for finance, meeting the existing demand with tailored solutions that can surface opportunities invisible to generic AI engines.