AI is increasingly being used by Australian retail investors when making investment decisions, according to research by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
According to the eighth annual CA ANZ Retail Investor Confidence Survey, around 61% use AI for investment-related purposes, up from 48% a year earlier.
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The survey, which covered more than 1,000 Australian retail investors with in excess of $6,979 (A$10,000) invested across shares and other assets, found that 22% use AI extensively.
Among Australian respondents who use AI, 83% said they were at least somewhat satisfied with the information produced by the technology.
However, trust remains a concern for those who do not use AI. Half of non-users said they did not trust information generated by AI tools.
ChatGPT was the most widely used AI platform, cited by 78% of participants. Microsoft Copilot was used by 44%, followed by Claude at 33%.
Auditors remain the intermediary most trusted by Australian investors to protect their interests, even as confidence slipped from 52% in 2025 to 48% in 2026.
Despite the four-percentage-point decline, auditors continue to outrank other key market institutions. Financial analysts followed at 45%, stock exchanges at 40% and government regulators at 34%.
The survey also indicated that investors continue to value dependable information sources.
Some 91% of respondents said they had at least some confidence in audited financial information issued by Australian listed companies.
CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen said: “In just one year, we have seen AI move from an emerging technology to a mainstream tool for investors.
“Investors value AI because it helps them process large amounts of information efficiently. In a world where markets move at speed, that is a powerful advantage. But investors want assurance that what they are being told is accurate, reliable and grounded in quality data.
“Without that, they will not proceed. This reflects our broader position on AI: it can enhance professional judgement, but it should never replace it. Ultimately, people remain accountable for the decisions they make, not the technology that informs them.”
The survey was conducted between 22 July and 6 August 2026.
