CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge

The CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge gives university students hands-on experience applying AI to real-world investment problems.

What is the challenge?

The CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge is a global student competition where university teams apply artificial intelligence to real-world investment problems. It helps students build practical skills in investment analysis, data, and responsible AI use.

Key takeaways

A global AI investment competition for university students
Focuses on applying AI to real investment use cases
Builds skills in analysis, teamwork, and communication
Explores responsible AI in investment decision-making
Run with support from CFA societies and industry professionals

How does the AI Investment Challenge work?

The CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge is run by local CFA societies and is designed to simulate how investment teams use technology to analyze data, generate insights, and present recommendations.

Students participate in teams, working through a structured, multi-stage competition to develop an AI-enabled solution to a real investment problem.

Stages typically include:

Concept submission
Solution development (prototype and investment insight)
Final presentation

Throughout the challenge, participants receive guidance from faculty advisors, industry professionals, and judges with expertise in investment practice and technology.

The competition culminates in a final round where top teams present their solutions to a panel of judges.

What participants will gain

Students who participate in the CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge will have the opportunity to:

Apply AI to real investment use cases
Strengthen problem-solving and analytical thinking
Build experience working in teams across finance and technology
Practice communicating ideas clearly to judges and industry professionals
Explore how responsible AI can be used in investment decision-making
Showcase innovation to a global audience

Competition format

The CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge is structured in stages so students can progressively develop, test, and present their ideas.

University teams typically consist of three to five undergraduate or graduate students. Teams work together to design a solution to a real investment challenge and present their work through each stage of the competition.

Stage 1: Concept submission

Teams respond to a real-world investment problem by outlining their proposed AI-powered solution. They define the challenge, explain their methodology, and demonstrate how their approach could support investment analysis.

Stage 2: Solution development

Selected teams advance to further develop their idea into a more robust submission. This may include a prototype, workflow, model output, research framework, or demonstration of how the solution would be applied in practice.

Final round

Finalist teams present their solution live to a panel of judges. Presentations are evaluated on innovation, investment relevance, clarity of thought, practicality, and responsible use of AI.

Why AI in investment management?

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how investment professionals research companies, interpret data, generate insights, and improve workflows. The CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge helps students explore these changes in a practical, thoughtful, and responsible way.

By participating, students can better understand both the opportunities and the limitations of AI in investment practice — and build skills that will matter in the future of the profession.

Frequently asked questions

What is the AI Investment Challenge?

A student competition where teams apply AI to real-world investment problems.

Who can participate?

University students (undergraduate and graduate) working in teams.

What skills do students gain?

Investment analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and experience using AI in finance.

Is the competition global?

This is currently a pilot in the UK, please sign up for the waitlist to let us know your interest.

Stay updated

Be the first to hear when the CFA Institute AI Investment Challenge launches in your region, along with updates on timelines, participation, and opportunities to get involved.

Join the waitlist