HSBC Survey Reveals Business Leaders and Investors Turning to AI Amid 2026 Economic Volatility

A new HSBC survey highlights how business leaders and institutional investors are prioritizing AI and technology amid global economic uncertainty.

Conducted in March 2026 with 3,000 respondents across ten markets, the survey underscores AI's role in shaping international expansion and capital deployment strategies.

AI Tops Strategic Priorities for Growth

Access to AI, critical technologies, and infrastructure emerged as the top influence on strategies over the next three years, cited by 50 percent of respondents.

This factor rivals market growth and client demand at 49 percent, signaling a shift where tech infrastructure drives global business decisions.

Decisions to boost exposure in specific markets are heavily influenced by strong AI and data infrastructure alongside attractive energy costs, noted by 51 percent.

Historically, AI adoption has accelerated post-2020s breakthroughs, transforming industries from manufacturing to finance through automation and analytics.

Projected Benefits and Business Transformation

The most anticipated AI benefit is improved productivity and workforce efficiency, expected by 56 percent of global respondents.

Forecasting, modeling, and innovation with cost savings follow closely at 48 percent and 46 percent, respectively.

Notably, 32 percent foresee AI fundamentally reshaping their core business models in three years, indicating profound long-term impact.

In Singapore, enthusiasm is higher, with 88 percent prioritizing AI access and 37 percent expecting business model overhauls.

Looking ahead, 49 percent of institutional investors plan to increase AI and tech exposure in client portfolios for 2026, adapting to volatility.

This trend positions AI as a resilience tool, potentially stabilizing economies by enhancing efficiency and innovation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.