Investors in India and UAE adopt AI, still rely on advisers

A new global survey reveals that wealthy investors are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence for financial research and analysis, but overwhelmingly rely on human advisers when making final investment decisions. The research, commissioned by HSBC and conducted by Ipsos, surveyed 9,993 affluent and high-net-worth individuals across ten markets, including India, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the United Kingdom, between January 6 and February 6, 2026.

The findings point to the emergence of a distinct hybrid model, where AI accelerates discovery and analysis while professional advisers provide crucial context, validation, and accountability. Globally, 62 percent of respondents said they turn to human professionals as their main source of investment ideas. When asked what had the greatest influence on their most recent investment decision, 37 percent cited advice from financial professionals, compared to just 12 percent who selected AI-powered tools.

Investors in India and the UAE are at the forefront of this adoption. In both markets, 98 percent of affluent investors reported using AI tools in some aspect of their lives, the highest rate among the surveyed...