AI takes center stage in Indian investing apps, but firms caution against 'timing the market'
Artificial intelligence has become the headline feature in India’s fast-growing investing apps, promising to help users sift data, spot patterns and make decisions faster. From stock suggestions and portfolio insights to tools that claim to help time trades, AI is now being pitched as a smarter way to invest.
The question many platforms are addressing head-on: how much should users actually trust it with their money? The technology’s footprint in finance is expanding quickly. According to Sebi’s consultation paper on responsible usage of AI and machine learning, such systems are already widely used across Indian securities markets, spanning advisory and support services, surveillance, risk management and product recommendations.
Better data, faster computing and advances in generative AI have accelerated that trend. For platforms, the appeal is straightforward. “AI helps us process large volumes of data quickly, identify patterns, and present information in a more usable way,” said Navy Vijay Ramavat, Managing Director at Indira Securities.
“It strengthens decision-making by reducing noise and improving efficiency.” The promise for users is equally clear: better decisions with less effort. Yet even companies building these tools are careful not to oversell. “AI does not replace that team, it amplifies what they can do,” said Pranit Arora, Co-Founder and CEO of Univest.
“Every investment recommendation that reaches our users originates from a qualified, human research team.” He added that AI at the company is designed to speed analysis and filter information rather than make final calls. “AI at Univest is an analytical co-pilot, not an autonomous decision-maker.” One of the boldest claims in the market is that AI can help investors “time the market.” This is where firms draw a clear line.
“I want to be very direct here: we do not claim to ‘time the market’,” Arora said. “Market timing is something even the most sophisticated institutional funds struggle with.” He added: “Timing the market perfectly is a myth. No one can do it consistently.” In practice, both executives say AI is better at surfacing patterns and potential opportunities than at predicting precise outcomes.
On the ground, usage remains measured. At Indira Securities, Ramavat described a conservative approach. “AI on our platform works as an assistive layer to simplify complex market information, not as a recommendation engine,” he said. In many cases, core tools are not AI-driven at all, focusing on summarising market updates, organising data and simplifying insights, while the final call rests with human analysts.
Platforms also acknowledge that AI—and human-aided recommendations—are not infallible. Arora said Univest closely tracks performance. “Our advisory track record shows an approximately 86% accuracy rate,” he said, noting that a portion of calls do not work out.
As AI becomes ubiquitous in Indian investing, the message from industry players is consistent: treat it as a powerful assistant, not an oracle. The technology may help investors cut through noise and move faster, but the responsibility—and the risk—still lies with the human making the final decision.