The hot artificial intelligence (AI) market is booming everywhere it seems, but apparently, the UK, as well as Europe, is stuck in the slow lane. According to a recent report, the UK is lagging behind its peers as AI use in investment activities flourishes elsewhere.
As outlined in a research report from BridgeWise, 78.3% of global respondents now use AI for investment information, with 45.7% classified as “power users.” In the UK, 33% of respondents say they never use AI for investment queries, compared with 21% globally.
Findings of the report include:
- In the UK, only 37% use AI frequently vs 46% globally
- 68% of UK respondents trust AI vs 77% globally
- 57% in the UK plan to replace research with AI vs 65% globally
- Unsurprisingly, Europe ranks as the lowest region for AI adoption overall
The report posits the existence of “Untapped Believers,” as approximately 29.3% of respondents who do not use AI for investment research report trusting its accuracy. This suggests that for a large segment of the market, the main barrier to entry is a lack of accessible tools and clear entry points within the wealth ecosystem rather than fundamental skepticism.
While investor use may lag, UK financial services firms have moved rapidly to capitalize on the tech. AI investment in financial services as of early 2026 is strong, with the financial services sector leading adoption among UK industries. Around 75% of firms already use AI, with the highest rates in insurance at 95% and international banks at 94%.