Do AI and Machine Learning Funds Actually Outperform?

Evaluating AI & ML-focused U.S. Equity Funds

Nicolas Rabener
10 min read
21 Sep 2026

SUMMARY

  • AI & ML-focused funds performed poorly
  • AI-focused hedge funds have also underperformed
  • This explains the few funds and low AUM

INTRODUCTION

In October 2019, we conducted our first review of funds using AI for investment decisions, where the performance was rather unimpressive (read AI, What Have You Done for Me Lately?). In February 2022 and July 2023, we reviewed these funds again, along with new entrants, but the picture hadn’t changed (read Smart Money, Crowd Intelligence, and AI and

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