London, 15 October 2026 – Artificial Intelligence (AI), including the use of agentic tools, has become the top strategic priority for global asset owners, cited by 67% of participants disclosing data for this measure in a new study. It ranks ahead of factors such as adapting to a higher inflationary environment at 44%, managing liquidity pressures at 33% and responding to the growing role of private markets at 28%.
The Global Asset Owner Technology Peer Study 2026, undertaken by the Thinking Ahead Institute in partnership with MSCI Institute, draws on research with 20 global asset owners responsible for more than US$5 trillion in combined assets. The study suggests that the strategic debate around AI is largely settled, with all funds agreeing on the importance of its role in the future.
Participants expect technology’s contribution to investment outcomes to increase from approximately 17% today to 30% over the next three to five years. However, the research reveals a widening gap between the industry’s ambitions for AI and its current capabilities, governance and data readiness.
AI, data platforms and analytics are moving from support functions into the core of investment research, portfolio monitoring and decision-making. While participants expect AI to become deeply embedded in investment workflows, they also acknowledge that their existing skills, systems and operating models are not yet equipped for the shift. The study concludes that human judgement, interpretation and accountability will remain essential, but the way investment work is organised will change significantly.
Governance is also struggling to keep pace. Only 25% of participating asset owners have made AI a standing board or investment committee agenda item, while 60% review it only occasionally. The research suggests that governance will need to move beyond periodic oversight towards clear strategic ownership and accountability.
Data remains the most significant practical barrier. Three-quarters of participants cite data quality and standardisation as a leading constraint on AI adoption. Legacy systems, organisational silos and spreadsheet-based processes are already placing pressure on resources, while the growing use of AI is increasing the need for reliable, trusted and accessible data. The study finds that few asset owners possess the scale, expertise and transformation capacity to address this independently. External providers may help asset owners address some of these challenges, although greater reliance on a small number of platforms and tools could also increase convergence risk across the industry.
For asset owners grappling with this rapid pace of change, the research identifies four core areas that should be prioritised:
- Leadership and governance: Give boards and executive teams clear ownership of AI strategy, risk and accountability.
- Skills and talent: Build organisation-wide understanding of AI’s strengths, limitations and risks, and develop people who can bridge investment expertise and technology.
- Operating model: Redesign workflows so AI supports investment decision-making while preserving human judgement and accountability.
- Costs: Prepare for AI to become a significant and ongoing investment, supported by clear measures of value.
Roger Urwin, co-founder of the Thinking Ahead Institute, said:
“Asset owners are still at an early stage of the AI adoption curve but there is no question about the increasingly important role AI will play in the future. Technology’s influence on asset owner outcomes is set to increase substantially, but this is not simply about installing more tools. AI is changing how investment organisations structure work, make decisions and govern risk.
AI is becoming an organisational story rather than a technology story. The opportunity is immense, but so is the challenge. Asset owners are trying to shape their AI future at the very moment AI is reshaping theirs.”
Linda-Eling Lee, founding director and head of the MSCI Institute, said:
“AI gives asset owners an opportunity to rethink not just how they use technology but the investment process itself. Data will be central to that transition, but so will human judgement, governance and the ability to connect investment and technology teams. The opportunity lies in bringing these elements together to support better investment decisions and stronger long-term outcomes.”
About the Thinking Ahead Institute
The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and asset managers committed to mobilising capital for a sustainable future. It has 52 members around the world and is an outgrowth of the WTW Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group which was set up in 2002. Learn more at https://www.thinkingaheadinstitute.org/
About WTW
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.
Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
Learn more at wtwco.com
Media contact
| Sarah Toubman Client Manager JPES Partners +44 (0)20 7520 7633 sarah.toubman@jpespartners.com | Noor Fatima Client Executive JPES Partners +44 (0)20 7520 7637 noor.fatima@jpespartners.com |
