Institutional investors are increasingly acknowledging the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of trading, according to a recent survey conducted by JPMorgan, a multinational investment bank. The survey, titled “e-Trading Edit: Insights from the Inside,” gathered responses from 4,010 institutional traders across 65 countries.
The survey, conducted by JPMorgan, reveals insights into institutional perspectives on AI in trading. It found that 61% of respondents believe AI and machine learning (ML) will be the most influential technologies for trading over the next three years. This indicates a growing recognition of AI-driven solutions in the financial sector, particularly in decision-making processes related to trading activities.
After AI and ML, application programming interface (API) integration was favored by 13% of respondents as a significant technology shaping the future of trading. Blockchain or distributed ledger technology, along with quantum computing, received 7% each, showcasing their potential but relatively lower impact according to surveyed traders.
Meanwhile, mobile trading applications and natural language processing were chosen by 6% of respondents, indicating their relevance but lesser prominence compared to AI and API integration. The survey also highlights a noticeable shift in institutional sentiment towards various technologies in recent years, with AI and ML steadily gaining ground while blockchain and mobile trading applications have seen declining perceived importance since 2022.
AI’s increasing prominence can be attributed to its diverse capabilities, including trade predictions and real-time threat identification to market sentiment. These features make AI a powerful tool for improving decision-making processes and optimizing trading strategies in dynamic and complex financial markets.
Moreover, the integration of AI and ML has already shown tangible benefits for investors. According to a 2022 report by Nvidia, 30% of respondents reported reducing their annual revenue by more than 10% through the implementation of AI-driven solutions. This underscores the value AI can deliver in driving efficiencies and enhancing performance within institutional trading operations.
However, despite growing enthusiasm for AI, institutional investors appear hesitant towards cryptocurrency trading. According to the survey, 78% of institutional traders have no plans to trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or digital coins within the next five years. This cautious approach reflects concerns about the volatile and evolving cryptocurrency market, including regulatory uncertainty and market stability issues.
Nevertheless, there is a slight increase in the percentage of respondents engaging in cryptocurrency trading, with 9% indicating involvement in 2024 compared to 8% in 2023. This suggests a nuanced perspective within the institutional investor community, with a small but growing segment willing to explore opportunities within the cryptocurrency space despite prevailing skepticism.
JPMorgan’s stance on cryptocurrency has been somewhat contentious, with CEO Jamie Dimon expressing skepticism towards digital assets like Bitcoin despite the company’s involvement in certain cryptocurrency-related initiatives. Despite this skepticism, JPMorgan’s survey findings offer valuable insights into the evolving attitudes and preferences of institutional investors towards emerging technologies and asset classes within the financial landscape.
Overall, the survey underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of trading, with institutional investors increasingly recognizing its potential to drive efficiencies and enhance decision-making processes. While other technologies like blockchain and mobile trading applications remain relevant, AI’s versatility and proven benefits position it as a key driver of innovation and competitiveness within the financial sector.
