Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of financial executives believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will revolutionise the wealth and asset management sector, according to research from FNZ.

The wealth management platform surveyed over 500 wealth and asset management firms across 16 global markets.

It found that 73 per cent of respondents saw AI as essential to the future of their businesses.

Among the firms surveyed, 88 per cent reported positive returns on their AI investments, with 19 per cent achieving gains of more than 7 per cent and 62 per cent recouping their investment within two years.

FNZ highlighted that firms moving early, investing at scale, and embedding AI into their strategy, infrastructure, and culture were already seeing stronger outcomes in revenue growth, operational efficiency, and risk reduction.

Its research showed that 87 per cent of ‘AI leader’ firms had made moderate or significant progress in building integrated, cloud-enabled IT platforms.

“By investing in end-to-end platforms that connect data, strengthen governance, and provide the flexibility to industrialise AI, firms are able to power real-time insights, automate workflows, and deliver better outcomes for clients,” FNZ stated.

The survey also found that 62 per cent of firms believed clearer risk-management guidelines would enable greater use of AI over the next three years.

Among the ‘AI leaders’ identified by FNZ, 81 per cent had already implemented formal AI governance frameworks and policies.

FNZ said the research confirmed that AI was about augmenting, not replacing, human expertise.

Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of firms believed AI would drive a step-change in human productivity, with advisers focusing on relationships, strategy, and complex judgements, and AI handling routine and time-consuming tasks.

“An AI revolution is underway,” FNZ said. “It’s no longer just an optional innovation experiment; it is essential.

“AI is galvanising every part of the wealth and asset value chain – from the back to the front office.

“As capabilities mature, firms expect AI to take a growing role in operational areas like trade and transaction execution, client onboarding, and performance monitoring – freeing advisers to deliver more personalised, holistic guidance at scale.”

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