Singapore – Mass affluent and high-net-worth investors in Singapore are using artificial intelligence (AI) for finance and investment activities at a higher rate than their global counterparts, while continuing to rely on financial advisers to validate AI-generated insights before making investment decisions, according to a new survey commissioned by HSBC and conducted by Ipsos.
The survey, conducted in January and February 2026 among more than 600 Singapore investors, found that 76% of respondents use AI for finance and investment tasks, exceeding the global average of 73%. HSBC said the findings indicate that AI has become part of investors’ research and analysis process, but human advice remains central at the point of decision-making.
The study found that AI adoption in Singapore extends beyond younger investors. Among Generation X respondents, 72% reported using AI for finance, compared with 65% globally. Baby Boomers recorded the same 72% adoption rate, significantly higher than the 59% global average for the age group.
Despite the high level of adoption, Singapore investors appeared more cautious about relying solely on AI than their international peers. Only 8% said AI was the single most influential source in their most recent major investment decision, compared with 12% globally.
The survey also found that 43% of Singapore investors said AI had increased their willingness to take calculated investment risks, below the global average of 49%.
According to the findings, investors primarily use AI for research and analysis (69%), strategy support (44%), and to test their investment ideas (34%). They then seek reassurance from professional advisers, with 79% citing reassurance and 71% highlighting advisers’ strategic expertise.
Four in 10 respondents (40%) said their preferred investment process involves using AI first before consulting a financial adviser. Overall, 57% preferred AI and advisers working together, above the global average of 50%.
Among Generation Z investors in Singapore, 45% preferred using AI to generate new investment ideas before discussing them with an adviser, compared with 38% globally.
Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Singapore, said: “Our new data tells us is that Singapore’s investors are using AI in their financial decision-making with discipline. They are doing more of their own analysis, arriving at conversations better prepared, and expecting more of the professional advisers who help them as a result. That is not a challenge to the adviser relationship model; it is setting a higher bar for what good advice looks like.
“Our investment in adviser-enabled AI, including Wealth Intelligence, AI Prepare, and our broader partnership with Google Cloud, gives our relationship managers the tools to work at the same level of rigour as the clients they serve, and to bring something to the conversation that AI alone cannot; deep experience, empathy, clear judgement and accountability for the outcome.”
HSBC said the survey comes as it continues to expand its AI capabilities for wealth management. The bank launched Wealth Intelligence in September 2025, providing relationship managers with access to insights and research from more than 10,000 sources, followed by AI Prepare in May 2026, which generates client engagement materials by consolidating a customer’s financial information.
The announcement also follows HSBC’s multi-year strategic AI partnership with Google Cloud announced in June 2026, which includes hyper-personalised wealth management support as one of its initial focus areas.
Among respondents with at least US$2 million in investable assets, AI adoption reached 95%, compared with the global average of 82% for the same segment.
These investors estimated that AI contributed an average of 40% of their investment returns over the previous 12 months, higher than the 31% average reported across all Singapore respondents. In addition, 65% of high-net-worth investors said AI made them feel more in control of their investments.
The findings suggest that while AI is becoming an integral part of investment research and portfolio management among Singapore investors, professional financial advice continues to play a key role in investment decision-making.
