A new report from InvestorsObserver suggests a significant demographic of experienced investors remains wary of fully trusting Artificial Intelligence (AI) for financial decisions, despite rapid advancements in digital tools. A survey of over 1,000 U.S. internet users aged 35 to 60 found that a notable 19% do not trust AI with any financial task, and only 5% act on AI recommendations without independent human verification.
While 64% of respondents have never used AI chatbots for investment advice, a substantial 36% already do, with 7% using these tools several times a week and 12% a few times per month. This indicates a growing familiarity, even if full reliance is low.
Investors are selective about AI’s role. Stock picking emerged as the most trusted application, with 25% confident in AI’s data analysis capabilities. Fraud detection and security monitoring garnered trust from 17%, but only 12% would turn to AI for more personal financial tasks like budgeting, retirement planning, or tax optimization. This suggests a preference for AI in data-intensive, objective analysis rather than subjective planning.
A striking finding is the prevalence of a hybrid approach: 63% treat AI content as a starting point for further investigation, and 11% cross-check algorithmic tips with human experts. Only a small minority (5%) blindly follow AI advice, while 14% reject it entirely.
Despite current hesitancy, the future points towards increased integration. 59% of respondents plan to use or continue using AI in their investing, indicating a likely expansion of this hybrid decision-making model. The 26% undecided group is crucial, as their eventual adoption could significantly impact broader trends, especially given forecasts that the AI finance market may reach around $190 billion by 2030. This suggests a gradual, informed embrace of AI’s potential within the financial landscape.
