Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Your Financial Advisor? (2024)

Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Your Financial Advisor? (1)

The Wealth Advisor Contributor

March 21, 2023

(The Ascent) -Artificial intelligence (AI) has been transforming various industries, and the financial services sector is no exception. With the rise ofrobo-advisorsand other AI-powered financial tools, many are wondering if human financial advisors will soon become obsolete. Let’s explore the pros and cons of AI-driven financial advice and assess whether AI is likely to replace your financial advisor anytime soon.

Key points

  • Artificial intelligence can now parse large amounts of information and explain the abstract in simple terms, two key parts of the financial services industry.
  • Limitations of the technology include building a qualitative and quantitative context through ongoing discussions.
  • In the near term, humans and bots will likely team up to bring you financial advice.

The case for machines

Did that introduction sound a little off to you? If not, the AI revolution may be closer to your doorstep than you think. That paragraph was generated by ChatGPT, a powerful artificial intelligence engine that you can communicate with in plain English. And after exchanging dozens of messages back and forth with the bot, one thing is clear to me: many industries are about to change.

The financial services industry was long believed to be impenetrable to the clunky AI of years passed. What bot could balance the nuances of the many facets ofpersonal finances? Today, however, artificial intelligence can gain 40 years of experience in a few seconds, presenting IRS rulings and fund prospectuses alike better than even the most book-wormish CPA or CFA. When it comes to AI, the question is not whether it can outcompete a human, but whether it can replaceeveryfunction today's advisor can perform.

As a financial planner, I pride myself in my ability to communicate about complex topics in layman's terms. But that skill is no longer in short supply. ChatGPT and many other artificial intelligence programs can do just as well as I can, if not better. I spent half an hour asking the bot a variety of highly technical questions. In addition to providing a correct answer almost every time, it generally provided a response written at a high-school reading level.

The case for men and women

So, is my job toast? Not yet. Human advisors still hold the upper hand against the current generation of machine learning bots.

For one thing, humans generally prefer to work with other humans. A 2020 study found that 84% of Americans would rather work with a human advisor than a so-called robo-advisor. There is a concept known as the "uncanny valley," which argues that as robots get closer to emulating human characteristics, like speech, humans become more distrustful of them. And while robots are getting better at disguising themselves as humans, as represented by the introductory paragraph, they are not yet there. That's why many people and some search engines are able to identify AI-generated writing.

Another challenge that artificial intelligence faces in the financial planning world is that of asking good questions. While a human advisor can ask a tactically pointed question to choose the best of many options, artificial intelligence, at least as of now, tends not to talk back. Most financial planning conversations include back and forth, establishing both qualitative and quantitative guidelines before offering recommendations. Talking with artificial intelligence is, at least for now, a one-sided conversation.

The future of financial planning

The financial services industry is one of the more tech-forward professional industries. This allows a unique opportunity for human advisors and AI to team up in order to best serve clients.

An advisor and her artificial intelligence engine may work best in tandem. The human can build context, and ask the AI engine the right questions, all while adding that human touch. With the right questions, the AI engine can offer more pointed solutions and provide the data to back them up.

"In conclusion, while AI is advancing quickly and has many applications in the financial world, it is unlikely to completely replace the human element of financial advising anytime soon. Instead, the future of financial advising will likely involve a complementary partnership between humans and machines." -- ChatGPT

ByCharlie Pastor, CFP®
March 17, 2023

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Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Your Financial Advisor? (2024)

FAQs

Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Your Financial Advisor? ›

It's unlikely that AI will replace financial advisors and financial planners. Investment is still a human activity, driven by emotion and uncertainty, which means that there are no “right” answers that a computer can solve.

Will financial advisors be replaced by AI? ›

AI can help in many ways–but nothing will ever replace the personal relationship between an advisor and their client. Bob Rubin is the founder and president of Rubin Wealth Advisors.

Is there a future for financial advisor? ›

And the wide scope of technology tools supporting advisors to shift into providing more client-centric services makes this new era in the future of financial advice possible! The changing patterns in how financial advice is delivered can be compared to the similar trends seen in the evolution of medicine. Dr.

Will robo advisors replace financial advisors? ›

The Role of Robo Advisors

To my colleague's surprise, the founder responded by declining the debate and saying that robo advisors are not intended to outperform or replace advisors, but rather to offer an option to investors who don't meet advisor minimums.

Will financial advisors become obsolete? ›

If you're wondering whether doom and gloom stories about financial advisors becoming obsolete, here's some reassurance: people will always need financial advice. And while technology may satisfy some of those needs, it's not a perfect solution or an adequate replacement for a human financial advisor.

Why won't AI replace financial advisors? ›

With that said, AI in wealth management isn't about replacing human advisors; rather, it serves as a powerful tool to augment our capabilities. While we can use this technology to the benefit of our clients, we must not lose sight of the fact this is a people-to-people business.

Will AI take over financial analyst? ›

Not to mention, human financial analysts bring creativity and critical thinking AI doesn't tend to possess. So, it is unlikely that AI will fully replace financial analysts, or at least any time in the near future. Instead, they may work together to improve efficiency and accuracy in decision-making processes.

Why are financial advisors leaving the industry? ›

When they become recognized as experts in a particular field, they are automatically differentiated, and the market comes to them. The “be everything to everybody” approach is much less interesting and productive and can lead to burnout—a leading cause of advisors quitting the business.

Are financial advisors struggling? ›

The Statistics: 80-90% of financial advisors fail and close their firm within the first three years of business. This means only 10-20% of financial advisors are ultimately successful. 6. Poor Execution: Lots of plans, ideas, and dreams but no process or organized effort to make things happen.

How old is the average financial advisor? ›

According to various studies and publications, the average age of financial advisors is somewhere between 51 and 55 years, with 38% expecting to retire in the next ten years.

Do millionaires use robo-advisors? ›

According to Spectrem, on a scale of 1 to 100 (1 being low and 100 being high), wealthy investors rated their knowledge of robo advisers at 15.47, and only 6% said they have ever used one.

What is the failure rate of financial advisors? ›

What Percentage of Financial Advisors are Successful? 80-90% of financial advisors fail and close their firm within the first three years of business. This means only 10-20% of financial advisors are ultimately successful.

What is the biggest downfall of robo-advisors? ›

It may seem like an easy decision to invest using a robo-advisor, but it's always a good idea to review the drawbacks. Remember, you don't get the human service you would with a financial advisor guiding you through your investments. And despite the low cost, you may end up paying more in fees in the end.

What is the long term outlook for a financial advisor? ›

Financial Advisor Employment Expansion

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that 42,000 new financial advisor jobs would be added between 2022 and 2032. That will increase the total number of positions 13% over the decade from 227,600 in 2022 to 369,600 in 2032.

Are financial advisors a waste of money? ›

Hiring a financial advisor can seem like an unnecessary expense but they often save you money in the long run. If you choose to hire a financial advisor, make sure all their fees are transparent before you sign. A financial advisor is usually recommended when their fee is less than what they save for you.

Are financial advisers in demand? ›

Financial planning is about helping people achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. If this sounds like the career for you, it's the perfect time to take a leap: changes to the industry have created a boom in opportunities for qualified financial planners.

What is the disadvantage of being financial advisor? ›

Cons of Being a Financial Advisor

Building an advisor practice and growing a client base may be challenging. Completing the necessary requirements to get certified and licensed can be time-consuming and costly. Working hours are often long, particularly in the early stages of growing an advisor business.

What are the disadvantages of becoming a financial advisor? ›

Expensive to start: Starting an advisor practice can require a sizable amount of capital. Difficult to grow: One of the big struggles of many advisors is trying to find ways to grow their practice as it takes consistent work unless you're able to find the right solution.

How hard is it to succeed as a financial advisor? ›

Becoming a successful financial advisor demands a considerable amount of hard work and dedication. In the initial stages of your career, you'll need to put in long hours to establish your practice and build a solid client base.

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