AI Slows Hiring at Proprietary Trading Firms, But Job Cuts Remain Limited

AI is prompting proprietary trading firms to slow hiring and focus on more specialized talent, but it is not yet driving widespread job cuts, according to Acuiti's Q2 2026 Proprietary Trading Management Insight Report. The survey shows managers primarily use AI to boost existing staff productivity while becoming more selective about new roles, with 44% of firms reporting a slower hiring pace.

Only 15% of firms reported reducing headcount due to AI, with 3% cutting staff significantly. In contrast, 38% are increasing hiring, indicating a split between firms embracing AI-driven growth and those reassessing needs. The trend is most pronounced at firms combining algorithmic with point-and-click trading, where AI automates routine work and supports decision-making.

As hiring momentum cools, the demand for roles is shifting toward highly specialized profiles in quantitative research, engineering, and data science. These skills are central to integrating AI models into trading strategies. "AI is a hot topic, but boards must understand what they are getting into," said Remonda Møller, founder of Muinmos, emphasizing the importance of usability, accuracy, and accountability in compliance.

The report also highlights operational challenges, with 54% of firms citing issues with market data feed capacity and latency, and 46% reporting problems with order management technology. Overall, AI is reshaping headcount planning in a gradual, targeted way, leading to slower, more selective hiring rather than large-scale job displacement.

In retail brokerage, AI has been cited in workforce reductions. eToro announced plans to cut about 7% of its global workforce this year, citing process automation and AI for efficiency. Similarly, the operator of FXCM and Tradu pointed to "agentic AI" as a factor behind cutting over 100 jobs, raising questions about whether AI is a genuine driver of leaner operations or a label for cost-cutting.