the simple truth is that AI is not a trend, it’s here to stay — IROs must take action to keep pace with market expectations
AI is revolutionizing industries, redefining company operations and reshaping job functions at an unprecedented and previously unimaginable pace. Investor relations is no exception — and if you don’t yet see it in your job and company, you will soon.
As technology continues to advance, IR professionals face new challenges and opportunities that require them to engage investors more effectively, provide faster and more accurate insights and deliver greater value to their businesses. The buy side is already leveraging AI to analyze markets and make investment decisions. Now, it’s time for IR teams to bridge the gap and ensure investors have the stories, facts and figures they need, when they need them, from the most trusted source — the companies themselves.
A recent survey shows how quickly the landscape is evolving, with 30 percent of IROs responding that they are already using AI professionally, up from only 8 percent in 2023, while resistance to AI implementation declined dramatically compared to last year, with only 9 per cent of respondents now indicating no plans to use AI.
Increasing market speed and complexity, combined with heightened competition for investor funds and attention, is ramping up the pressure on IR teams. The need for empowering technology has never been greater — fortunately, AI-powered solutions that provide immediate help are now reaching maturity.
The AI imperative for investor relations
It may seem daunting at first but there’s never been a better time to start than the present. Here are a few things you can start to apply — for your investors and in your own job — that will create value for your team and company today:
- Automate investor engagement on your IR website
Your IR website is the most important owned source of information about your company, its equity story and its performance. Yet, for many investors, navigating IR websites can be a frustrating experience, sifting through lengthy reports, searching for answers buried in documents and struggling with outdated or poorly structured navigation.
Enterprise AI solutions like aiiro are changing the game by enabling automated, real-time investor engagement. aiiro’s Investor Assistant, an AI-powered chat built specifically for IR websites, delivers accurate, sourced and multilingual responses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This transforms the investor experience from frustrating searches to seamless, engaging conversations, saving IR teams valuable time by eliminating repetitive inquiries and freeing them up for more strategic activities.
- Eliminate blind spots for better decisions and reporting
Investor relations has always been about strategic communication, but until now, a critical blind spot has remained: understanding exactly what investors are looking for when they visit an IR website. Traditional analytics show which documents are being downloaded but fail to provide insight into the specific questions investors are asking.
AI changes this. aiiro’s real-time analytics provide detailed insights into investor queries, emerging trends and sentiment, enabling IR teams to continuously refine their messaging, reporting and presentations. This data-driven approach ensures IR teams stay ahead of market movements, helping them respond to urgent changes that could impact stock performance or investor sentiment. With AI, IR professionals no longer need to guess what investors want, but can act with precision.
- Apply AI for efficiency, productivity and creativity in a secure environment
AI isn’t just about automation. It can enhance efficiency, productivity and creativity in IR. Whether drafting content, conducting competitor or market analyses, or preparing for investor meetings, AI can supercharge your daily workflows. Imagine:
- Simulating investor meetings to better prepare your CEO and CFO
- Instantly benchmarking presentations against industry best practices
- Drafting your next earnings release with your updated financial data
- Conducting thorough gap analysis against regulatory standards
However, using public AI tools like ChatGPT comes with risks. Confidential company data could be exposed or used for AI training. That’s why secure, private AI environments like aiiro’s Workspaces are essential: they allow IR teams to harness AI’s full potential, while ensuring data privacy and compliance.
AI as the catalyst for a new era of IR
Sitting at the intersection of finance, communications, strategy, governance and sustainability — and between your company and your investors – IR has never been more critical. By embracing enterprise-ready AI tools, IR professionals can position themselves as leaders in corporate innovation, demonstrating to their boards, executives and investors that they are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in IR to create sustainable value for their organizations. IR teams who leverage AI will enhance engagement with investors and key stakeholders, while reinforcing IR’s role as a trusted advisor to the board, CEO and CFO.
So, the simple truth is that AI is not a trend, it’s here to stay. IROs who fail to embrace it risk falling behind, both at a job level and a company level. While AI must be integrated within the broader governance and strategy of a company, the time to act is now.
At aiiro, we believe that investor relations is set to evolve into a strategic, data-driven powerhouse. Those who leverage AI effectively will enhance engagement and transparency for their companies, while also elevating IR’s role as a critical driver of business success in the digital age. We’re working hard to empower IROs on that exciting journey.
To discover how aiiro can put AI to work for you today, please visit aiiro AI for a free trial or to schedule a one-on-one demo. Mention ‘IR Impact’ for 20 percent discount on your annual subscription (valid for one month only).
David Grunfeld is the founder and CEO of aiiro. He is speaking on a panel at the upcoming AI & Technology Forum – Europe.
