TLDR

  • Goldman Sachs has warned AI could lead to widespread job cuts across finance and other sectors
  • AI quant hedge fund Ningbo’s High-Flyer announced a 52.55% average return in 2025
  • 84% of retail crypto traders lost money in their first year of trading
  • Approximately 19% of people worldwide now use AI tools to manage or adjust their investment portfolios
  • Experts state that learning to select and oversee AI trading agents may be the most valuable financial skill for the future

AI is transforming how individuals invest, trade, and safeguard their finances. What began with using chatbots for simple financial queries has evolved into a landscape where AI agents can execute trades, monitor markets 24/7, and handle risk—all with minimal human involvement.

Goldman Sachs has issued a warning that AI could lead to widespread job losses. Citrini Research recently highlighted a job-displacement scenario that temporarily shook markets. These cautions are prompting more individuals to consider how to secure their financial well-being.

According to some experts, the solution isn’t keeping pace with every new AI tool. Instead, the emphasis should be on mastering one skill: choosing and overseeing AI trading agents.

AI quant hedge fund Ningbo’s High-Flyer announced an average return of 52.55% in 2025, ranking it among the industry’s top performers. This figure stands out when compared to the broader retail trading market.

In the crypto space, 84% of retail traders incurred losses in their first year. Most of these losses stemmed not from a lack of information but from a lack of discipline—panic selling, revenge trading, and emotional choices.

AI doesn’t suffer from these issues. It doesn’t sleep, panic, or waver. It executes trades according to the rules it’s programmed with, consistently and without deviation.

Why AI Agents Are Gaining Ground in Crypto and Stocks

Approximately 19% of people worldwide now use AI tools to build or adjust their portfolios, according to . In the UK, nearly 39% of individuals use AI for future financial planning, per Lloyds Group.

Despite this growth, AI trading agents remain largely underutilized by individual investors. Most applications involve asking AI for advice rather than allowing it to implement a strategy.

This distinction is important. Using AI as a search tool for investment tips isn’t the same as deploying an agent that adheres to a clearly defined strategy with established risk parameters.

Experts liken the process to managing a sports team. You establish the goal, outline the rules, and let the agents handle the tasks. You maintain kill switches, set position limits, and track performance over time.

What This Means for Everyday Investors

The critical factor isn’t choosing the top AI model. It’s creating a system with clear objectives and boundaries, then consistently evaluating results.

Crypto markets already function 24/7. AI systems are designed for that kind of environment—human traders are not.

As AI tools become more accessible, the divide between institutional and retail investors could shrink—but only for those who learn to use these tools efficiently.

The skill in question isn’t technical—it’s managerial. Determine what you want, establish the rules, verify the controls, and monitor the outcomes.

Ningbo’s High-Flyer’s 52.55% return in 2025 continues to be one of the most frequently cited examples of what AI-powered trading can achieve in today’s market conditions.