Artificial intelligence is moving beyond market research in Arab stock markets, with systems increasingly used to shape portfolios, provide investment recommendations and, in some cases, execute trades.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are taking different regulatory approaches. Saudi Arabia is developing rules for AI-powered advisory services and algorithmic trading. The Capital Market Authority has also approved an AI-driven Saudi equities fund and is testing AI advisory through its fintech framework.
In September 2026, the CMA proposed limiting algorithmic orders to 20 for every executed trade in a listed security, excluding securities with very high liquidity. The draft rules would also require firms to test systems, maintain records and establish controls before deployment.
Abu Dhabi is focusing on access to market information. In August 2026, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange made official live market data available through conversational AI platforms including ChatGPT and Claude. The UAE also has a framework for robo-advisory covering automated recommendations, portfolio management and disclosures around risks and algorithmic limits.
Egypt is taking a more cautious position. While it is expanding digital access to brokerage services, its rules prohibit platforms from providing investment recommendations, ranking securities or using predictive and AI tools to influence clients.
The shift is putting greater focus on oversight, accountability and how much authority investors should give automated systems.
Source: Waya
