Singapore Investors Lead Globally in Using AI, But Still Trust Human Advisers
Source: CFOtech Asia
Singapore's mass affluent and high-net-worth investors use AI for financial tasks at rates above the global average, yet only 8% said AI was the single most influential source in their last major investment decision, according to new HSBC research from Ipsos. The survey reveals a hybrid model where investors combine machine-led analysis with professional human advice, with 57% favouring AI and advisers working together.
Investors in Singapore are adopting artificial intelligence for financial research and analysis at rates that outpace global averages, yet they consistently turn to human advisers before making major decisions, according to new research by HSBC and Ipsos. The findings paint a picture of a market that is digitally sophisticated but deliberately cautious, blending AI efficiency with the accountability that only professional judgement can provide.
Among Singapore's mass affluent and high-net-worth investors, 76% said they use AI for finance and investment tasks, above the global average of 73%. Adoption was strongest among wealthier clients — 90% of those with USD $2 million or more in investable assets reported using AI, compared with 82% globally. Notably, usage was also high across older demographics: 72% of both Gen X and Baby Boomer investors in Singapore use AI for financial tasks, significantly above their global peers at 65% and 59% respectively.
Despite widespread adoption, Singapore investors remain notably disciplined about when and how they rely on AI. Just 8% said AI was the single most influential source in their last major investment decision, well below the global average of 12%. Instead, 69% use AI for research and analysis, 44% for strategy support, and 34% to stress-test their own ideas. Most striking was the preference for a blended model — 57% favour AI and human advisers working together, while 40% prefer using AI first and then consulting an adviser before committing capital.
HSBC Singapore's Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, Ashmita Acharya, noted that the data shows investors arrive at conversations better prepared and expect more from their professional advisers as a result. HSBC is expanding AI tools for its own wealth managers in Singapore, including Wealth Intelligence — which draws insights from over 10,000 sources — and AI Prepare, which compiles client engagement packs from financial data. The bank has also announced a multi-year AI partnership with Google Cloud focused initially on wealth management.
Why it matters for Singapore: The HSBC research reveals a mature and deliberate approach to AI adoption in Singapore's wealth management sector, a key industry for the city-state's economy. Rather than replacing human advisers, AI is being used to raise the bar on what good advice looks like — demanding that professionals bring deep experience, empathy, and accountability alongside machine-generated insights. As Singapore positions itself as Asia's leading wealth management hub, this hybrid model could become a competitive advantage, offering digitally-enhanced service without sacrificing the human trust that high-stakes financial decisions require.