UAE Investors Lead Global AI Adoption for Investing, Says HSBC

HSBC report finds 98% of UAE investors use AI, while most continue to rely on financial advisers for major investment decisions

The UAE has emerged as the global leader in artificial intelligence adoption among investors, with nearly every affluent investor now using AI tools in their daily lives. However, despite this rapid adoption, investors continue to place significant value on professional financial advice when making important investment decisions.

According to HSBC’s latest Human-AI Advantage report, 98% of affluent and high-net-worth investors in the UAE use AI in their everyday lives. The survey covered 9,993 respondents across 10 global markets, including 703 participants from the UAE.

UAE outpaces global markets in AI-powered investing

The study found that 83% of UAE investors use AI specifically for finance and investment-related activities. This is well above the global average of 73%, highlighting the country’s growing confidence in AI-powered financial tools.

Moreover, UAE investors share the top position with India for overall AI adoption. In comparison, only 76% of investors in the UK and 75% in the US reported using AI in their daily lives.

The findings reinforce the UAE’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing AI-driven economies, where digital technologies continue to influence both personal and financial decision-making.

AI supports research, strategy and risk analysis

Investors in the UAE primarily use AI to improve research and investment planning.

According to the report:

• 78% use AI for investment analysis and research.
• 61% rely on AI to support investment strategies, making the UAE the second-highest market surveyed for this use.
• 63% believe AI helps them better understand calculated investment risks. Only India ranked higher at 64%, while the US and UK recorded 44% and 39%, respectively.

These findings suggest that investors increasingly view AI as a decision-support tool rather than simply an automation technology.

Human advisers remain central to investment decisions

Despite widespread AI adoption, professional financial advisers continue to play a critical role.

The report found that 56% of UAE investors prefer a hybrid approach that combines AI-generated insights with expert human advice. This exceeds the global average of 50% and is significantly higher than the 38% recorded among US investors.

Additionally, 39% of respondents said they first use AI for research before consulting a financial adviser to validate recommendations.

The findings indicate that greater AI adoption is strengthening, rather than replacing, demand for trusted financial professionals.

Investors credit AI with stronger portfolio performance

Many UAE investors also believe AI is contributing directly to investment success.

On average, respondents attributed 36% of their investment returns over the past 12 months to AI-supported decisions. This exceeds the global average of 33%.

Beyond investing, 74% said AI has improved their overall quality of life, compared with a global average of 63%. Meanwhile, 36% reported that AI has expanded their professional opportunities and career prospects.

HSBC expands AI capabilities for wealth advisers

The survey comes as HSBC continues to integrate artificial intelligence into its wealth management business.

The bank recently introduced its Wealth Intelligence platform for advisers. The platform uses a large language model that draws insights from more than 10,000 data sources, including HSBC’s proprietary investment research, to help advisers deliver more informed recommendations to clients.

As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE, the latest findings suggest that the future of wealth management will likely combine advanced technology with human expertise, rather than replacing one with the other.