The Global Asset Owner Technology & AI Peer Study 2026, produced by the Thinking Ahead Institute in partnership with the MSCI Institute, explores how leading asset owners are responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and what it means for the future of investment organisations. While AI is often discussed as a technology topic, the study finds that its implications reach much further. AI is increasingly influencing how organisations learn, make decisions, manage risk, collaborate and create long-term value. As a result, the challenge facing asset owners is not simply adopting new tools, but redesigning operating models, governance structures and ways of working for an AI-enabled future.
The research draws on a global peer group of 20 leading asset owners managing more than US$5 trillion in assets, representing organisations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The study combined approximately 18 hours of one-to-one leadership interviews, survey analysis and more than 10,000 data points, creating one of the most comprehensive views of AI adoption within the asset owner community today.
A central finding is that ambition has moved ahead of readiness. Most participants see AI as a strategic priority and expect its influence to grow significantly over the coming years, yet many recognise that gaps remain in data quality, governance, skills and organisational integration. The study therefore takes a systems perspective, examining not only technology adoption but also the people, processes and leadership capabilities required to turn AI from a productivity tool into a source of organisational advantage. Ultimately, the study aims to help investment organisations understand where they are today, learn from peers, and prepare for a future in which human judgement and machine intelligence work together more closely than ever before.
AI is moving from a technology agenda to an organisational one. The real challenge is integrating AI into how people, processes and institutions work together to create better decisions.
Roger Urwin, Co-founder at the Thinking Ahead Institute
Related pages
Asset Owner Peer Study 2024: What Asset Owners did next
Key resources
Technology/AI hub
A central resource for Thinking Ahead Institute research and insights on how technology and AI are reshaping investment organisations, markets and decision-making.
Asset Owner 100 study
This annual study gathers data on the total assets of the top 100 asset owners around the world as well as the top 10 insurers and the top 10 foundations and endowments.
Technology Ecosystem Working Group (participants only)
A dedicated webpage where you can find all of the information for the Technology Ecosystem Working Group.
Perspectives from our global network
Part 1: Charting AI in the investment industry with RBC Global Asset Management
Jaco van der Walt, Head of Quantitative Investments and Lead of AI for Alpha at RBC Global, discusses agentic AI, the future of the investment manager and staying ahead.
Part 2: Charting AI in the investment industry with CFA Institute
Mona Naqvi , Managing Director, Research, Advocacy & Standards at CFA Institute, gives insight into how we navigate a changing AI landscape and the skills we need.
Part 3: Charting AI in the investment industry with Dragonfly Thinking
An AI agent with beliefs? Sue Brake, Chair of the Board at Dragonfly Thinking, dives into her 6+ months of building AI agent.
Part 4: Charting AI in the investment industry with Aware Super
Simon Warner, Chief Investment Officer, at Aware Super, gives us insight into how AI is enabling and reshaping investment organisations today.
