A significant surge in AI adoption has taken place among buy-side institutions, with 70% of firms successfully deploying Artificial Intelligence to support front-office functions, according to the 2026 InvestOps Report commissioned by SimCorp. This represents a dramatic increase from the previous year, when only about 10% were actively exploring AI tools despite 75% recognizing its potential.
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The 2026 InvestOps Report, based on responses from 200 senior executives at asset managers, pension funds, and insurance companies worldwide (each managing at least USD 10 billion in AUM), highlights a rapid maturation of AI adoption in the investment management sector. Conducted by WBR Insights, the study identifies key technology priorities and challenges as firms head into 2026.
AI Shifts from Exploration to Core Front-Office Application "AI adoption has dramatically shifted from pilots to business-critical applications in the front office," said Peter Sanderson, Chief Executive Officer, SimCorp. "The advancements in AI can deliver the most value for investment professionals to enhance decision-making and efficiency when it is underpinned by a centrally governed and unified data layer."
Last year, most respondents were still seeking guidance on AI integration. This year's findings show widespread successful deployment, particularly in front-office activities where AI supports faster, more informed decision-making.
Top Technology Initiatives and Strategic Drivers Consolidating vendors and platforms (58%) and modernizing technology architecture and data infrastructure (54%) emerged as the leading priorities. These steps are viewed as foundational for scaling AI, automating investment workflows, and simplifying complex tech stacks.
"I'm not surprised to see 58 percent of firms in this survey choosing vendor and platform consolidation as a technology initiative," added Sanderson. "It's the first step toward bringing all their data together so they can have better control, trust their information, see their entire portfolio clearly, and use AI to gain insights."
For the first time in three years, innovation for competitive differentiation (55%) has surpassed operational efficiency (33%) and cost control (44%) as the top driver of technology and operations investments.
Key Criteria for Evaluating AI Solutions Vendor stability ranked highest (57%), reflecting the importance of established providers with strong enterprise support and governance. Other top factors include:
Rising Focus on Alternatives and Private Markets AI, generative AI, and advanced analytics (72%) lead as the greatest opportunity for technological innovation. Private markets and alternative investments have seen a 24-percentage-point increase in perceived innovation potential (51% in 2026 vs. 27% in 2025). As allocations to alternatives grow, firms seek technology to improve straight-through processing, reduce manual reconciliations, and focus on high-quality investment evaluation.
SimCorp launched SimCorp Alternatives last year to address these needs, building on its trusted platform already used by major asset owners.
To access the full 2026 InvestOps Report and explore the detailed findings, visit the SimCorp website.
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