Asset managers turn AI pilots into agentic workflows

Asset management is moving beyond fragmented GenAI pilots toward agentic systems embedded in investment and operations workflows. The shift comes as firms face margin pressure and heavy legacy burdens, with 60 to 80% of technology spend still devoted to maintaining older systems rather than transformation.

Industry data points to accelerating adoption. KPMG estimates global market spend on agentic AI reached $50 billion in 2025, while Wolters Kluwer reports that 44% of finance teams will use agentic AI in 2026. BCG’s 2026 Global Asset Management Report says agentic workflows can increase capacity by 55% to 65% and reduce operational costs by around 40%.

AI agents are being used for continuous risk monitoring, compliance checks, research summarization, capital call processing, net asset value reconciliation and corporate action workflows. Unlike passive dashboards or generic chatbots, these systems can scan data feeds, call APIs, query databases, draft reports and escalate exceptions within defined limits.

Production use depends on integration with existing tools, auditable outputs, access controls, human oversight and stronger data architecture. Regulatory readiness is also becoming central as the EU AI Act becomes substantially operational on August 2, 2026, requiring firms deploying high-risk systems to demonstrate transparency, oversight and risk management.