New Delhi, Dec. 16 -- Every generation of investors believes they've found the ultimate shortcut-some magical tool that will do the hard thinking for them. My father's generation swore by "tips" exchanged over landlines. Mine worshipped YouTube "experts", stock screeners, and Excel macros.

Today's generation has a new idol - generative AI. And honestly, who wouldn't be seduced? Ask an AI tool to explain a balance sheet and it responds like your favourite finance professor. Ask it to summarise a 200-page annual report and it does so with the patience of a diligent chartered accountant. Want stock ideas? It generates them in fluent, confident prose. It is tireless, smooth, and seemingly wise. Of course we're tempted.

But hidden beneath th...