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In recent years, AI has become an increasingly common feature in advisor technology. The possibilities at the intersection of AI and financial advice are exciting – faster processes, better connections, less time on ‘busy work’ – but also come with uncertainty about the future of the field. What might the field of financial advice even look like in 10 years? Yet, there are still notable gaps between the potential of AI-enhanced technology and its current capabilities.
In this guest post, Craig Iskowitz, CEO and founder of Ezra Group, shares highlights from this year’s Advise AI Conference, where industry leaders gathered to explore how AI might shape financial advice, from back-office operations to client interactions. Rather than focusing on the fear that AI might replace advisors, a key theme was how advisors could work alongside AI to deliver more effective, timely, and personalized insights to clients. For example, while some speakers discussed how AI leverages data at scale, others, like Sindhu Joseph of CogniCor, highlighted how the platform identified life events and changes (such as the birth of a child) to prompt timely, personalized advisor outreach.
Another conference theme centered on how advisors could effectively vet new advisor technology products. A panel of industry leaders recommended examining not only the feasibility of implementation but also critical factors like data safety, privacy, and compatibility with existing systems. Once vetted, new technology can be implemented gradually, focusing first on a few high-impact tasks that directly enhance advisor productivity.
Other key highlights from the Advise AI Conference included:
- Personalized Client Experiences: Multiple vendors, including Andrew Smith Lewis of Alai Studios, discussed how AI can enhance – not replace – personalization of client experiences with tools like AI companions (e.g., Lydia) that remember both advisor personalities and client interactions.
- Measuring AI ROI: Andrew Altfest, CEO of FP Alpha, shared insights on shifting AI from back-office support to client-facing tasks, such as portfolio construction and new client onboarding, to enhance measurable outcomes.
- AI For Marketing: Susan Theder, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at FMG, shared how AI could be trained to capture an advisor’s unique voice, enabling marketing efforts that feel more authentic and personalized.
- Leadership’s Role In AI Success: Brooke Juniper, CEO of Tifin Sage, emphasized that firm leaders can foster successful AI adoption by promoting a culture of experimentation and learning.
Throughout the Advise AI Conference, speakers highlighted the importance of each stage in the AI integration journey. With well-designed interfaces and thoughtful integration, AI tools can be implemented across advisory firms, enhancing both back-office and client-facing workflows. With support from firm leadership, advisors can iterate on these tools to continuously improve efficiency and service quality, ultimately benefiting clients through smoother onboarding processes and clearer action steps.
Ultimately, the Advise AI Conference emphasized that while AI technology is still in its early stages, its potential to transform advisory firms is undeniable. With a flexible approach and a balance between technology and the human touch, AI is poised to elevate the way advisory firms serve clients – for the better!