Prime ASIDefence Platform
Back to Intelligence
DEEP_DIVEVerified material

AI in European finance: widespread experimentation, limited autonomous trading

ESMA surveyed 728 firms across 19 EU countries and found much higher AI adoption or planned adoption among large institutions. Of 847 reported use cases, only 10 concerned algorithmic trading, 19 portfolio optimisation and 20 portfolio risk management; 77% had low or no autonomy.

Author: Prime ASI ResearchUpdated: 26 July 2026

Source facts and context

ESMA surveyed 728 firms across 19 EU countries and found much higher AI adoption or planned adoption among large institutions. Of 847 reported use cases, only 10 concerned algorithmic trading, 19 portfolio optimisation and 20 portfolio risk management; 77% had low or no autonomy.

PRIME ASI analysis

The data challenges the idea that AI already manages most assets autonomously. For Algo Trade AI, the opportunity lies in infrastructure supporting professional workflows, risk control and auditability rather than a promise of full autonomy.

Barriers, risks and limitations

The survey was voluntary and self-reported, so ESMA notes limits to representativeness. It contains no investment-performance results.

Primary source

European Securities and Markets Authority

AI Adoption and Trends in Securities Markets - EU Evidence

Open source material

This material is educational and informational. It does not constitute an investment recommendation, an offer or any assurance regarding the future performance of Prime ASI S.A. or its portfolio companies.

AI in European finance: widespread experimentation, limited autonomous trading | PRIME ASI