America's investment biker Jim Rogers on investing amid uncertainty: think independently, research deeply

In an interview published in the KeAi journal Risk Sciences, renowned global investor Jim Rogers shares his perspective on how investors can navigate uncertainty in an era shaped by technological disruption, geopolitical tension, and shifting global economic power.

Rogers, widely known for his contrarian investment philosophy and firsthand approach to understanding markets, argues that success depends on the ability to think independently rather than follow consensus. “If you want to be successful, you need to do what other people are not doing,” he says. “If you follow the crowd, you will not be successful no matter what you do. What you have to do is to look out the window and see what you know is going to happen next.”

The interview highlights Rogers' view that contrarian investing is not simply about opposing popular opinion. Instead, it requires rigorous research, repeated questioning, and the emotional discipline to stay with a well-tested judgment even when markets and public opinion appear to disagree. He stresses that investors should rely on facts rather than feelings, and that preparation can reduce—but never eliminate—risk.

Rogers also discusses major risks in global markets, including concerns about rising U.S. debt and the dangers of complacency. His views on China are presented through a long historical lens: while acknowledging current challenges and potential missteps, he emphasizes China’s repeated ability to recover from periods of difficulty. He also identifies India as an economy with long-term promise, pointing to changing attitudes toward entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

The article further explores Rogers' skepticism toward fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. While cautious about digital assets, he distinguishes between cryptocurrencies and the underlying potential of blockchain technology. In contrast, he expresses continued confidence in tangible assets such as gold and silver. 

On artificial intelligence, Rogers sees transformative potential but warns investors not to enter areas they do not understand. “Invest only in what you have knowledge about,” he cautions, adding that successful investing also requires knowing when to exit.

Beyond markets, Rogers reflects on fatherhood and describes his daughters as his greatest investment. This personal dimension reinforces one of the article’s broader themes: investing is not only about financial return, but also about judgment, patience, curiosity, and the kind of person an investor becomes while facing uncertainty. 

Contact the author: 

Yexin Chen

School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, China

China Center for Insurance and Risk Management, Tsinghua University, China

Email: chenyx@sem.tsinghua.edu.cn

Conflict of interest:

The second author Runhuan Feng is an Editor-in-Chief for Risk Sciences and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article.

See the article:

Chen, Y., Feng, R., Rogers, J., & Zhao, M. Investing amid uncertainty: Perspectives from America's investment biker – Jim Rogers. Risk Sciences.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.risk.2026.100057