With over 6 000 planners surveyed across 24 countries, the findings seem impressive at first glance. But as always, I believe, there’s more to the story. As a business focused on helping financial planners learn and develop the skills to use AI confidently and responsibly, we’ve taken a closer look. There’s good news, some gaps and a lot of opportunity.
Encouraging signals
Let’s start with what the report gets right.
It confirms what many of us already feel – there’s strong interest and growing momentum around AI in financial planning. Some key findings:
- A total of 64% of firms are already using AI or plan to within the next 12 months.
- 78% of planners believe AI will help them serve clients better.
- 60% say AI will improve advice quality and widen access.
Planners are mainly using AI to help with:
- Communicating with clients
- Gathering data
- Client risk profiling
- Automating routine tasks
- Marketing and onboarding
These are all practical use cases that help free up time, improve service and make work more efficient. We experience this in our business every day.
A global view, without the detail
One of the strengths of the report is its large global sample. But that strength also highlights a gap. The findings are presented at a global level, with no country-level breakdown, which would have been interesting to see. That makes it hard to know what’s happening in specific regions like South Africa, the UK or Australia. What’s true for a planner in the US may not reflect the challenges or tools available elsewhere. Local context matters, especially with something as complex as AI, where rules, tools and readiness vary widely.
Great questions, but a one-way mirror
The report asks the right questions of planners. But, in our opinion, it only captures one side of the story. There’s no input from clients. This means we’re missing an important voice. What do clients think about AI? Do they trust it? Are they comfortable if a bot helps prepare their financial plan? And many other questions. As planners, we’re here to serve people. Including their views in future research would offer a more complete picture of how AI is really working in practice.
Training is top of mind
One thing came through loud and clear: planners want support.
- 36% said the most helpful thing for the profession would be education and training on AI.
- 49% said they personally want to build stronger data and analysis skills.
This is exactly the kind of insight that drives our work. AI tools are only useful if people know how to use them safely, effectively and ethically. That’s why we offer practical training built for the practical delivery of financial planning – no jargon, just useful skills you can apply straight away.
A policy gap that must be closed
Only 45% of firms currently have an AI policy. Just 17% say it’s a comprehensive one. That’s understandable. AI is still new territory for many. But with data protection and security being top concerns, this is something we need to pay urgent attention to. We encourage every firm, big or small, to start thinking about:
- How AI tools are chosen and tested
- Where client data is stored and protected
- When and how humans stay in the loop
Simple, clear policies can go a long way in building trust and keeping things on track.
If you don’t know where to start, start with what AI can and can’t be used for in your business or practice.
Only 45% of firms currently have an AI policy.
Read the numbers as signals, not facts
The report gives us useful signals, but we should be careful not to take every number as fact. Because it was an open survey, planners who are already interested in AI were more likely to respond. That probably means adoption figures are a bit higher than in reality.
And because the survey was only run once, we don’t yet know how things are changing over time. Still, it’s a good starting point. It shows where the energy is and what planners are thinking about.
What this means for you
If you’re in the profession and feeling curious or overwhelmed about AI, you’re not alone. Here’s where we think you can make the biggest impact right now:
- Get confident with the basics. Understanding what AI can and can’t do is the first step. You don’t need to be a tech expert, just someone who asks good questions and who is curious.
- Build your AI toolkit. Start using simple tools that help with communication, content or admin. Then gradually explore more advanced features as you grow in confidence.
- Protect your clients and your practice. Make sure any tools you use meet your local privacy rules and ethical standards. If in doubt, ask.
- Join a community that’s learning together. AI is changing fast. The best way to keep up is to connect with others on the same journey. That’s what our training and community are all about.
Final thought
AI won’t replace planners. But planners who use AI well may have an edge. The FPSB report is a welcome step in helping us all understand where we’re headed. It points to enthusiasm, opportunity and a strong desire to learn. Let’s build on that energy, together.
Stay curious, and let’s raise the bar!
