Who Really Knows You Anymore?
AI is making waves, and yes, it’s going to change many things. I believe our profession will be one of the least disrupted. Why? Because at its heart, financial advice is about people, and no machine can ever replace the human connection we provide.
Life is getting a lot busier. For me, it’s kids’ parties, GP visits, dentist appointments, you name it. I barely know the professionals I interact with anymore. But my clients? They have me on speed dial. When they call, I’m right there in their world. That’s the luxury AI can’t replicate.
Yes, investment management costs are dropping, and platform fees are shrinking. But here’s the truth: when your financial future is on the line, you want a real person who understands your life, your goals, and your family. AI can’t do that. It can crunch numbers, streamline everything, but it can’t build human trust.
Take my accountant, for example. Not in a million years will I stop using him because AI might be able to do his job better than he can. He knows me. We have a real connection. He’s invested in my success, and his value to me is priceless. A machine could never replace that personal insight, that understanding of my unique situation. The frantic issues he’s addressed for me.
We live in a world full of bureaucracy, automated messages, and digital bots. In the midst of that, picking up the phone to speak with someone who genuinely cares about your financial future is rare, and it’s invaluable.
DIY investors might save a few pennies by cutting out the adviser, but they could cost themselves pounds by missing out on expert advice that would be tailored to them. Clients who work with a professional? They fly. They have access to years of experience, personalised guidance, and, importantly, someone who knows them. That’s the difference. We know all of our clients.
AI (and all advances in technology) will always have a place and I’m excited about its disruption, but it will never replace the trust and understanding we offer. The future of financial advice will be rooted in relationships, not algorithms. It’s not just about numbers, it’s about knowing the person behind the portfolio.
Here’s to the humans, and to the bionic adviser who uses technology to enhance that connection, not replace it.
In the end, human connection will be the ultimate luxury.
