
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into equity markets represents a paradigm shift in investment strategies. This study empirically investigates investor perceptions regarding the adoption, benefits, and challenges of AI-driven tools in stock investment decision-making. Grounded in technology acceptance literature, the research examines the influence of demographic factors and perceptions on AI adoption intention. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 120 respondents, including retail investors, students, and finance professionals. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Findings reveal a significant association between occupational background and awareness of AI tools (χ²=28.539, p<0.001), with finance professionals demonstrating greater awareness. While a positive perception of AI's predictive accuracy exists, no significant association was found between this perception and willingness to invest in AI tools (P=0.718). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in ethical concerns across different levels of investment experience (F=0.458, P=0.634). The study identifies key adoption barriers, including data privacy concerns (35.83%) and a perceived lack of human oversight (32.5%). The results underscore a cautious optimism among investors, highlighting the necessity for enhanced transparency, educational initiatives, and robust regulatory frameworks to foster trust and accelerate the adoption of AI in equity investments.
