Artificial intelligence is moving beyond administrative support towards a more active role in financial decision-making. This article explores what that shift could mean for advice firms, client outcomes and the regulatory responsibilities that remain firmly with people.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved rapidly from being a technology curiosity to becoming one of the most important strategic issues facing financial advice firms.
Most advisers are already familiar with some of the early use cases. AI can summarise meeting notes, draft suitability reports, analyse client data, identify planning opportunities and automate many administrative tasks. However, the future described by regulators and industry leaders goes much further than simple efficiency gains.
According to the FCA’s recent review into the future impact of AI on retail financial services, led by Sheldon Mills, the industry is moving towards a world of “AI-enabled, continuous and delegated services” where AI will not simply support decisions but may increasingly recommend, initiate and even execute actions within agreed parameters. This emerging concept has become known as agentic finance.
For advisers, this presents both a significant opportunity and a new set of responsibilities.


