Investors Favor Human Advice Despite Growing AI Use

According to a survey commissioned by HSBC and conducted by Ipsos Asia Limited of almost 10,000 affluent and high-net-worth respondents across 10 markets, investors are using artificial intelligence more for research and analysis but continue to rely on human advisers for final investment decisions. The survey found that 62% of respondents cite financial professionals and institutions as the main source of their last investment idea, and 37% said human financial experts were the most influential factor in their last investment decision compared with about 12% who cited AI, per HSBC's official press release. Business Wire's U.S.-focused summary shows 57% of U.S. affluent investors use AI for financial and investment tasks, while only 7% said AI drove their last major decision.

HSBC's release reports that younger cohorts adopt AI at higher rates: 86% of Gen Z and 82% of millennials use AI for financial and investment decisions. Respondents primarily use AI for analysis and research (66%), strategy support (50%), and to provide a second opinion on their ideas (31%). On average, 50% of all respondents say their ideal future approach is hybrid, combining AI with human adviser input. Per HSBC, 80% cite reassurance and 72% cite strategic expertise as the most valued adviser contributions when approaching a final decision.

The HSBC results add to a growing set of studies showing a hybrid pattern in wealth management where AI augments early-stage research while human advisers remain central for interpretation, accountability, and client-specific judgement. Regional differences are reported in HSBC's data: willingness to take calculated risks based on AI is higher in India (64%), UAE (63%), Malaysia (54%), and Hong Kong (53%), while investors in the U.S. (44%), Singapore (43%), Taiwan (43%), and the U.K. (39%) are more measured. Racquel Oden, Head of International Wealth Management and Private Banking, U.S. at HSBC, is quoted in the U.S. Business Wire release: "AI has democratized access to information, providing investors a valuable tool to help explore financial and investment options. However, our survey findings confirm that when it comes to making important financial decisions, investors primarily look to financial professionals and institutions for human judgment, accountability, and personalized advice. We believe the future of wealth management isn't about choosing between technology and people; it's about combining the power of AI with the insight and trust that only a financial professional can provide." Barry O'Byrne, CEO of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC, is quoted in HSBC's global press release: "Clients are increasingly using AI to explore their options, but when it comes to making investment decisions, they value judgement, context, and accountability from a trusted wealth adviser. That's why we're investing in adviser-enabled AI tools so our Relationship Managers can have richer client conversations."

For practitioners: Observers should track AI integration into adviser workflows (client-facing tools and back-office augmentation), segmentation of AI adoption by age and region, changes in client-adviser service mixes that advertise hybrid AI-human offerings, and regulatory attention to AI-driven financial advice and accountability standards. Growth in measured AI use for research combined with persistent reliance on advisers suggests vendors and advisory firms will prioritize usability and explainability in client-facing AI tools.