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Does generative AI facilitate investor Trading? Early evidence from ChatGPT outages

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  • Cheng, Qiang
  • Lin, Pengkai
  • Zhao, Yue

Abstract

In this paper, we use ChatGPT outages to provide early evidence on whether investors rely on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to perform professional tasks and the associated impact on stock price informativeness. We document a significant decline in stock trading volume during ChatGPT outages. The effect is stronger for firms with corporate news released immediately before or during the outages and for firms with higher ownership held by transient institutional investors. We then document declines in short-run price impact and return variance during the outage periods, consistent with reduced informed trading. Lastly, we document a positive effect of GenAI-assisted trading on long-run stock price informativeness. Overall, our findings indicate that a significant number of investors use ChatGPT in ways that influence their trading decisions and market outcomes. Future research can investigate the mechanisms underlying these GenAI effects and the potential risks of using GenAI for trading.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Qiang & Lin, Pengkai & Zhao, Yue, 2025. "Does generative AI facilitate investor Trading? Early evidence from ChatGPT outages," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:80:y:2025:i:2:s0165410125000576
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2025.101821
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    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • M4 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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