UAE Investors Lead the World in Adopting AI Tools for Wealth Management, Survey Reveals

A new global survey confirms what many in the region already sense: UAE investors are moving faster than anyone else toward AI-powered financial tools — and they plan to accelerate even further in the next 12 months.

The Data Behind the Shift

The inaugural State of AI for Wealth in 2026 report by BridgeWise surveyed 2,100 investors across 19 countries. The UAE ranked second overall but first globally on momentum — meaning respondents here showed the strongest stated intent to replace traditional investment research with AI tools.

Key takeaways:

• 78.3% of global respondents already use AI in investment decisions; 65.1% plan to replace traditional research methods within a year.
• The UAE’s AI adoption is accelerating alongside a government-driven push, including a new framework to deploy Agentic AI across 50% of government sectors within two years.
• About 29.3% of non-AI users in the survey already trust AI’s accuracy — the main barrier is a lack of investing-specific tools, not skepticism.

Why This Matters Beyond Finance

The UAE’s position at the top of this ranking isn’t just about fintech. It reflects a broader national infrastructure build — the Dubai International Financial Centre now hosts more than 1,500 fintech, AI, and innovation firms. The UAE fintech sector is projected to reach $5.71 billion by 2029.

For business leaders tracking global AI adoption, the UAE is increasingly a leading indicator. The behavior shift happening with retail investors there tends to reach enterprise and marketing functions in other markets within 18–24 months.

🔗 Read the full article on Khaleej Times