UAE Secures Second Place Globally and Leads World in AI Investment Momentum, BridgeWise Study Reveals

The inaugural “State of AI for Wealth” report, released by BridgeWise, highlights significant advancements in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the investment sector. The report, which surveyed 2,100 respondents across 19 countries, reveals that the UAE ranks second globally in the Global Wealth AI Optimism Index and leads the world in Momentum, indicating a strong intent among UAE investors to replace traditional investment research methods with AI tools within the next year.

Key Findings of the Report

The report outlines several critical findings:

• The UAE’s position as the second in the Global Wealth AI Optimism Index is underscored by its leading status in Momentum, reflecting a high intent to adopt AI tools for investment research.
• The Middle East as a region ranks first globally in the Index, surpassing Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe in both current AI adoption and future momentum.
• A notable 78.3% of global respondents are already utilizing AI for investment research, with 65.1% planning to transition from manual research methods within the year.

The Global Wealth AI Optimism Index: A Regional Leader

The Global Wealth AI Optimism Index serves as a proprietary benchmark assessing 19 countries based on four weighted pillars: Adoption (frequency of AI usage), Confidence (trust in AI accuracy), Edge (perceived competitive advantage), and Momentum (intent to replace traditional research with AI). The Middle East, driven by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, leads the Index, with the UAE’s exceptional performance in Momentum reflecting a broader commitment to AI-enhanced financial infrastructure. This commitment aligns with the UAE’s national technology strategy and its established reputation as a global fintech hub.

Addressing the “Untapped Believers”

The study also identifies a significant market opportunity among what it describes as “Untapped Believers.” Approximately 29.3% of respondents who do not currently use AI for investment research express trust in its accuracy. The primary barrier to adoption is not skepticism but rather a lack of accessible, purpose-built tools within the wealth ecosystem. This gap presents an opportunity for regulation-aligned AI platforms designed specifically for the wealth management sector.

The Shift Towards AI-Driven Research

Looking to the future, 65.1% of respondents globally indicate they are likely to replace manual investment research with AI-driven tools in the coming year. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger investors, with 57.8% of those aged 18 to 35 identifying as frequent AI users, compared to only 26.9% of respondents over the age of 50.

Gaby Diamant, CEO of BridgeWise, emphasized that the competitive landscape in wealth management is evolving. The divide will increasingly be between those who have access to specialized, wealth-native intelligence that uncovers opportunities not visible to generic AI engines and those who continue to rely on outdated tools in a complex global market. Diamant noted that the data from this study confirms a strong demand for AI solutions that are explainable, accurate, and purpose-built for the financial sector.

About the Report

The “State of AI for Wealth in 2026” report is based on a comprehensive study involving 2,100 respondents from 19 countries, ensuring equal representation of male and female participants. The respondents are employed adults aged 18 to 75 with active bank accounts, spanning regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East.

About BridgeWise

BridgeWise is recognized as a global leader in AI for wealth management, transforming how investors and institutions access and utilize financial insights. The company employs regulatory-compliant, transparent AI to enhance equity and fund analysis, offering multilingual tools and AI chat services for investments. BridgeWise provides trusted investment intelligence to over 100 institutional clients and 35 million end users across more than 15 languages. With offices in Japan, Singapore, the United States, London, Brazil, Thailand, and Dubai, BridgeWise collaborates with leading global institutions, including the Japan Exchange Group, S&P Global Market Intelligence, SIX, B3, eToro, and Rakuten Securities.

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-04-15 17:17:00 • By the Editorial Desk