AI is both transforming how we work and reshaping who gets to participate. At WorldQuant, the clearest example is our International Quant Championship (IQC).
In 2025, the IQC drew nearly 80,000 participants from 11,000 universities across 142 countries. Behind those numbers, we saw a striking shift: more participants chose to compete as individuals, using AI as their primary research partner rather than relying on traditional team structures.
When one student can use AI agents to scan research, generate hypotheses, run simulations, and refine strategies, they start to operate like a compact efficient research lab. As these tools become more accessible, the real advantage moves away from “who has the best technology” toward who can use these tools most effectively, which is largely a case of asking the right questions to shape the clearest ideas and make the sharpest decisions.