Financial Decision Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

A special issue of Journal of Risk and Financial Management (ISSN 1911-8074). This special issue belongs to the section "Financial Technology and Innovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1403

Editors


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Guest Editor
Decision and System Science, Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph’s University, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA
Interests: artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
College of Business, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA
Interests: mutual funds; application of AI in financial decisions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of JRFM explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on financial decision-making. AI, defined as machines capable of performing tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as problem-solving, language understanding, and decision-making, has quickly become a cornerstone of the financial services industry. From enhancing customer service with AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants, to automating routine tasks like portfolio analysis and risk assessment, AI is reshaping how financial institutions operate and serve their clients.

As the digital age accelerates, financial professionals are turning to AI to leverage vast amounts of data, improving efficiency and delivering more personalized advice. Financial advisors, particularly those serving older clients, now use AI to offer more tailored retirement planning, healthcare decisions, and fraud detection, while ensuring that human judgment remains at the core of complex decision-making.

AI is also influencing the relationship between advisors and clients. While AI will not replace human advisors, it enables them to provide deeper insights and more accurate predictions. AI empowers financial advisors to focus on client relationships, guiding clients through critical financial decisions like retirement or home purchases, while automating time-consuming tasks behind the scenes.

The Special Issue also examines the future of robo-advisors, which use AI to provide cost-effective, personalized financial advice. However, the role of human advisors remains crucial, especially for those navigating significant life changes. As AI continues to evolve, its ability to analyze massive datasets in real-time offers unprecedented opportunities for financial services, but the balance between AI efficiency and human empathy will be key to future success in financial decision-making.

In summary, this Special Issue underscores AI’s growing influence in financial services, emphasizing its potential to improve decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately drive more personalized, accessible financial advice.

Dr. Rashmi Malhotra
Prof. Dr. Davinder K. Malhotra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • financial decision-making
  • digital transformation robo-advisors
  • big data
  • machine learning, financial services industry
  • data analytics
  • customer personalization
  • risk management
  • financial advisors
  • AI in finance, automation in finance
  • financial technology (FinTech)
  • AI-driven insights
  • client relationship management
  • financial planning
  • retirement planning
  • fraud detection
  • AI transparency
  • operational efficiency
  • virtual assistants in finance
  • personalized financial advice
  • wealth management
  • financial innovation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1113 KB  
Article
Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Accounting Systems and Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Financial Decision-Making Quality
by Nouran Nabil Abdelsalam Mahmoud Ellelly, Saleh Aly Saleh Aly, Sherif El-Halaby and Abdelmoneim Bahyeldin Mohamed Metwally
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(6), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19060405 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 800
Abstract
This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence adoption in accounting systems (AIAS) on organizational performance (OP). Further, the study explores the mediating role of financial decision-making quality (FDMQ) on the AIAS-OP relationship. The sample comprises 583 accountants, finance managers, CFOs, [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence adoption in accounting systems (AIAS) on organizational performance (OP). Further, the study explores the mediating role of financial decision-making quality (FDMQ) on the AIAS-OP relationship. The sample comprises 583 accountants, finance managers, CFOs, and auditors in all firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX), covering banking, IT, manufacturing, and service sectors. Data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 4 software. The results revealed a positive and significant impact of AIAS on both FDMQ and OP. Further, the results revealed a positive and significant impact of FDMQ on OP. Finally, FDMQ showed a significant mediating role between AIAS and OP. These results have significant implications for policymakers, investors, regulators, and corporate executives, emphasizing the crucial role played by AIAS and FDMQ in shaping OP, particularly within emerging markets such as Egypt. This study provides a valuable contribution to the accounting literature by highlighting the impactful consequences of AIAS and FDMQ on OP in a unique and unexplored context. Furthermore, this research underscores the vital role that FDMQ assumes in mediating the relationship between AIAS and OP, contrasting with earlier studies in the literature which primarily examined the direct impact of AIAS or FDMQ on OP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Decision Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence)
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31 pages, 1820 KB  
Article
Do Complex Models Matter? Evidence from Multiclass Machine Learning Models in Credit Outlook Prediction
by Rashmi Malhotra, Davinder Malhotra, Robert Nydick and Nathan Coates
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(6), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19060389 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 279
Abstract
This research explores whether boosting model complexity enhances the forecasting of corporate financial outlook in a multiclass credit outlook setup. Instead of viewing distress as simply a yes-or-no result, companies are divided into negative, neutral, and positive outlook categories to better reflect shifting [...] Read more.
This research explores whether boosting model complexity enhances the forecasting of corporate financial outlook in a multiclass credit outlook setup. Instead of viewing distress as simply a yes-or-no result, companies are divided into negative, neutral, and positive outlook categories to better reflect shifting credit conditions. The study evaluates a parametric baseline against several nonlinear classifiers—including ensemble, kernel-based, and similarity-driven approaches—while applying a consistent validation process and statistical testing. On average, nonlinear models outperform the linear specification in terms of out-of-sample accuracy and provide more homogeneous classification across the three outlook categories. Importantly, they substantially improve the identification of firms with financial vulnerabilities. Among nonlinear models, average performance differences are economically small and statistically insignificant. These findings suggest that there are diminishing returns to additional complexity once nonlinear structure is allowed for in the models. SHAP-based interpretability provides exploratory evidence that model decisions are economically intuitive and broadly consistent with nonlinear, state-dependent credit risk dynamics. Negative financial surprises tend to be penalized more heavily than positive ones are appreciated, demonstrating the convex nature of the underlying risk dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Decision Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence)
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