AI’s Growing Role In Financial Planning And The Value Of Professional Advice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming how people access and understand financial information. It also helps in evaluating their options and plans for the future. AI is creating new opportunities for the financial planning industry.

The FPSB 2026 Impact of AI on Financial Planning global study was based on responses from more than 8,000 financial planners. Highlighting AI's potential to improve both efficiency and accessibility. The data revealed that 8 in 10 financial planners have already been using AI or plan to adopt an AI framework. This is a significant increase from 6 in 10 in 2025, reflecting how there’s been a rapid integration into the profession.

As many as 93 per cent of financial planners report improved work efficiency, while 52 per cent cite increased operational efficiency and 49 per cent say it enables them to cater to a wider customer base.

AI also helps in making financial planning more accessible. Around 70 per cent of planners believe that the technology can expand access to financial planning for underserved populations, whereas 68 per cent expect it to reduce the cost of services. By streamlining the routine tasks and making financial information much easier to access, the use of AI could help in bridging the existing gaps in financial awareness and planning services.

However, as technology becomes accessible, the importance of human judgement and personalised financial planning is growing as well.

Information is not enough to make decisions

The growing use of AI by consumers makes this distinction much more important. According to an FPSB study, 33 per cent of financial planners report that their clientele uses AI for general financial education, while 25 per cent use it to validate or compare professional advice. Although this reflects greater engagement with financial matters, AI-generated information still needs to be evaluated in the context of the individual’s financial circumstances.

Financial decisions are rarely based on information alone. Income, liabilities, responsibilities, goals and investment goals often dictate how people invest. Any answer that fits a general context may not necessarily serve an individual’s long-term interests.

The FPSB findings reinforce this concern. Nearly 21 per cent of planners reported a greater need to contextualise or rectify AI-generated information.

As AI becomes more integrated into financial planning, the relationship between technology and professional advice is likely to become more and more collaborative. AI supports analysis, improves efficiency and helps clients ask more and more informed questions. Responsible adoption will also require investment in professional skills. Half of the planners who were surveyed wanted more training in data analysis and interpretation.