Indian investors are leading the world in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) for financial decision-making, but they continue to place greater trust in professional financial advisers when making final investment decisions, according to new global research commissioned by HSBC and conducted by Ipsos.
The survey, which covered nearly 10,000 affluent and high-net-worth individuals across 10 markets, including 1,115 respondents from India, found that AI has become a mainstream tool for managing personal finances and investments.
According to the report, 98 per cent of affluent and high-net-worth Indians use AI, while 86 per cent specifically apply it to finance and investing—the highest among all markets surveyed and well above the global average of 73 per cent.
Indian investors primarily use AI for investment analysis and research (80 per cent), strategy support (70 per cent), and to validate their thinking or obtain a second opinion (32 per cent). The technology has helped investors gain greater confidence when discussing investment decisions with financial advisers (36 per cent), compare investment options more effectively (32 per cent), and better understand market trends and economic data (32 per cent).
Despite embracing AI faster than any other market, Indian investors continue to value human expertise when it comes to making final financial decisions. Financial professionals remain the leading source of investment ideas for 67 per cent of respondents and are the most influential factor in investment decisions for 31 per cent of investors—more than double the influence attributed to AI tools, which stood at 15 per cent.
Investors also highlighted the unique strengths of human advisers, with 89 per cent valuing the emotional reassurance they provide and 78 per cent appreciating their strategic expertise.
The research found growing support for a hybrid wealth management model that combines AI with human judgement. More than half (51 per cent) of Indian investors said they prefer a collaborative approach, with 33 per cent using AI to identify investment opportunities before seeking validation from a financial adviser, while 18 per cent want their advisers to incorporate AI tools into the advisory process.
Commenting on the findings, Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, said Indian investors are embracing AI faster than anywhere else in the world to explore investment options and validate their thinking.
"What's striking is that despite high AI usage, AI's influence in investment ideas and over decision-making trails behind professional advisers. The data shows AI isn't replacing professional advice—it's raising the quality of decision-making. The future of wealth management is a partnership where AI can accelerate analysis, while advisers bring judgement, personal context and accountability at the moments that matter most," he said.
The study also found that AI is boosting investor confidence and willingness to take calculated risks. Around 53 per cent of respondents said AI makes them feel more in control of their finances, compared to 31 per cent who felt less in control. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) said AI has made them more willing to take calculated investment risks, making Indian investors the most confident globally, compared with the global average of 49 per cent.
On average, Indian investors attributed 40 per cent of their investment returns over the past year to AI's influence.
Beyond investing, AI is also improving everyday life, with 77 per cent of Indian respondents saying the technology has enhanced their overall quality of life. Around 40 per cent said they use AI to explore new career opportunities or business ideas, underscoring its growing role in both professional and financial decision-making.
The findings suggest that the future of wealth management will increasingly combine AI's speed and analytical capabilities with the experience, judgement and accountability offered by human advisers.
