Manulife Wealth & Asset Management is turning artificial intelligence into a strategic ally for its investment research teams. The firm’s newly launched AI Research Assistant is designed to streamline public markets analysis, transforming vast data into actionable investment insights while cutting document review time by 70-80%.

The platform synthesizes financial statements, sell-side commentary, internal notes, earnings transcripts, and news stories into coherent reports, enabling analysts to focus on high-impact decisions rather than data sifting. Already, 65% of the public markets team has integrated the tool into their workflows since its recent launch.

“Artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era for investment management—accelerating insight, enhancing precision, and enabling scalable decision-making,” said Paul Lorentz, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth & Asset Management. “AI is a strategic partner, amplifying human expertise rather than replacing it, while preserving the rigor and accountability that define active management.”

The AI Research Assistant was developed collaboratively by Manulife’s technology, AI, and investment teams, ensuring it fits seamlessly into analysts’ workflows without compromising the depth of human judgment. Robi Krempus, Head of AI at Manulife, emphasized that the tool is built around a human-centered approach aligned with the firm’s Responsible AI Principles, prioritizing ethical development, investment-led solutions, and integrated risk oversight.

“This tool gives our investment professionals a competitive edge, helping them generate insights faster and make strategic decisions that drive value for clients,” said Colin Purdie, Global CIO, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management.

Manulife’s investment in AI isn’t new—it has been integrating AI across its global operations for nearly a decade. Over 75% of the firm’s workforce now interacts with generative AI tools, including its proprietary ChatMFC, to enhance personalization, insights, and scalable solutions. The company was recently recognized as the #1 life insurance company in the Evident AI Index for Insurance, reflecting its leadership in responsible AI adoption.

As AI continues to reshape financial services, Manulife’s approach underscores a broader industry trend: combining human judgment with intelligent automation to deliver faster, more precise investment decisions—without losing the human touch.