The State of AI for Wealth in 2026

AI adoption is passing a tipping point. We see this across industries, markets, and regions. But the world of investments presents a distinct set of challenges, both technical and regulatory, that can limit the pace of adoption. However, the data is now clear: AI adoption for wealth has passed a definitive tipping point. 

Today, BridgeWise is incredibly excited to announce the release of our inaugural State of AI for Wealth in 2026 report. We surveyed 2,100 employed adults with active bank accounts across 19 countries to understand how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the global investment landscape.

The key takeaway? An incredible 78% of respondents say that they have used AI for investment information. When we look at more frequent users, a large number, 46%, say they use AI tools “every time” or “often” when seeking investment information.

For financial institutions, the insights we have uncovered in our report are a stark signal that AI has become an integral part of investors’ research processes and is now a must have capability.

Here is a look at other key highlights and findings from the report.

The Global AI Optimism Index

As part of the report, we introduced the Global Wealth AI Optimism Index, evaluating five regions and 19 countries through four weighted pillars: Adoption, Confidence, Advantage, and Momentum. The results bring global differences into focus, and unveil underlying distinctions that can help regional players target their AI efforts.

Key findings:

• The Middle East Leads: The Middle East emerged as the top-ranked region globally, leading the world in both adoption and momentum.
• LATAM Outperforms: LATAM ranked second overall globally, taking the top spot for reported confidence and the belief that AI provides investors with an “edge”.
• Trailing Regions: Europe currently represents the region with the lowest levels of adoption. North America also trails, emerging as the most skeptical region regarding AI’s ability to provide an advantage.

The “Untapped Believers”

One of the most significant market opportunities identified in the study is a significant group we call the “Untapped Believers.”

• Nearly 30% of users who never use AI information when they invest still express confidence in its accuracy.
• This suggests that the primary barrier to entry for this large segment is not fundamental skepticism, but rather a lack of access to the right tools or a clear “how-to”.

AI for Wealth and The Great Research Migration

Looking ahead, the data points to a major shift in how investors will operate. A large majority, 65% of respondents, said it is likely they will replace some of their existing investment research with AI in the coming year. This points to accelerating adoption on top of what already exists.

This migration is defined by two key factors:

• Demographic Shifts: Younger users are driving the change, with 58% of investors aged 18-35 using AI “every time” or “often,” compared to just 27% of investors over the age of 50.
• Evolving Motivations: As users become more frequent “Superusers,” their primary reason for using AI shifts from “double-checking” to “discovering opportunities”. While 31% of these heavy users want AI to double-check their decisions, a massive 44% cite discovering new opportunities as their main reason for using the technology.

Actions for Financial Institutions

The report also uncovers pathways for financial institutions to better support investors in the emerging AI driven landscape. Different groups of investors, across demographic and regional factors, are driven by diverging motivations and challenges. Tailoring use of AI to address these needs is critical.

But beyond that, the report brings home the need for solutions specifically targeted for investment and finance. These vertical, wealth-native AI tools can help address the lingering confidence issues that can prevent adoption, as well as more effectively demonstrate the value that investors desire from AI solutions.

You can discover all the insights from the report here, and if you’d like to learn more about BridgeWise, our suite of AI solutions, and the way we can support your investors, sign up for a demo today.