The AI-Powered Investment Firm

An AI revolution is underway. It’s no longer just an optional innovation experiment; it is essential. AI is galvanizing every part of the wealth and asset value chain – from the back to the front office. And with 63% firms agreeing AI will revolutionize the sector – wealth and asset management businesses need to move fast, or fall behind.

4 Key Takeaways

Using insights from over 500 wealth and asset management firms representing US$74.2 trillion in assets across 16 global markets, our study The AI-Powered Investment Firm identifies four ways that firms can get ahead of their peers and achieve measurable results from AI.

Adopt AI early to unlock ROI

Our research shows that AI is now mission-critical: 73% of financial executives say AI is essential to the future of their business, and 63% believe it will revolutionize the wealth and asset management sector.

Among the firms surveyed, 88% report positive returns on their AI investments, with almost one in five (19%) achieving large gains of over 7%, and 62% recouping their investment within two years.

Firms that move early, invest at scale, and embed AI into their strategy, infrastructure, and culture are already seeing stronger outcomes in revenue growth, operational efficiency, and risk reduction than slower-moving peers.

Build an AI-Ready IT Foundation

No platform, no payoff; without the right IT and data foundation, AI will always struggle to scale beyond pilot projects.

Our research shows that 87% of AI leader firms have made moderate or significant progress in building integrated, cloud-enabled IT platforms.

By investing in end-to-end platforms that connect data, strengthen governance, and provide the flexibility to industrialize AI, firms are able to power real-time insights, automate workflows, and deliver better outcomes for clients.

Embrace Governance to Shape the Future of AI

Our research shows that 62% of firms believe clearer risk-management guidelines will enable greater use of AI over the next three years.

Firms that build strong oversight and accountability into their AI systems are turning compliance into competitive advantage; demonstrating fairness, reliability, and regulatory alignment.

Among the AI leaders we identified, 81% have already implemented formal AI governance frameworks and policies, enabling them to scale AI with confidence and trust.

Enhance the Role of the Adviser – Don’t Replace Them

Our latest research confirms that AI is about augmenting, not replacing, human expertise. AI is reshaping how work is done and how value is created across the investment lifecycle.

73% of firms believe AI will drive a step-change in human productivity – with advisers focusing on relationships, strategy, and complex judgement, while AI handles routine and time-consuming tasks such as administration and compliance.

As capabilities mature, firms expect AI to take a growing role in operational areas like trade and transaction execution, client onboarding, and performance monitoring – freeing advisers to deliver more personalized, holistic guidance at scale.