Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said AI agents will soon be able to match the capabilities of human traders.

This shift could democratize high-frequency and programmatic trading, tools that were previously reserved for hedge funds and institutional firms. By automating complex decision-making, the technology aims to close the gap between professional traders and everyday retail investors.

In May 2026, the company launched an agentic-trading feature [1]. This tool allows AI to act on behalf of the user to execute trades, bringing institutional-level power to the general public. Tenev said that the company introduced two new AI-powered products as part of this push [2].

During an interview on CNBC, Tenev detailed the company's vision for the future of retail investing. He said, "We want retail investors to trade like the pros with AI."

The new system is designed to move beyond simple automation. Tenev said, "Our new agentic-trading feature lets AI act on your behalf, bringing institutional-level power to everyday investors."

This move toward agentic AI represents a transition from tools that provide information to tools that take action. While traditional trading apps offer data and alerts, agentic systems can independently manage portfolios based on user-defined parameters. Tenev said, "AI agents will soon be able to match the capabilities of human traders."

The integration of these tools comes as Robinhood seeks to expand its utility for a broader range of investors. By providing programmatic access to the markets, the platform is positioning itself as a bridge between simple brokerage services and professional trading desks.

“AI agents will soon be able to match the capabilities of human traders.”

The introduction of agentic trading marks a shift from AI as a research assistant to AI as an active fiduciary. If retail investors can deploy autonomous agents that mimic institutional strategies, it may increase market volatility and liquidity, while simultaneously challenging the traditional competitive advantage held by professional trading firms.