AI is Reshaping Businesses Faster Than Expected – How Should Financial Advisers Respond?

You can see the business world changing right under your nose here on LinkedIn.

A legal firm recently shared a post that AI-driven contract drafting tools have rapidly reduced demand for their services - in fact faster than they predicted. As a result, they are making the tough decision to downsize.

This is the first time I’ve seen a professional services firm publicly acknowledge that AI has changed their business model in real time.

It won’t be the last.

Some financial advisers will look at this and see AI as a threat. Others will see an opportunity. Some won't care either way...

The difference? Those who see AI as an opportunity are using it not just for back-office efficiencies but as a way to rethink their entire approach to business.

AI is Now Just a WhatsApp Message Away

One of the biggest signals of AI’s mainstream adoption is that ChatGPT can now be accessed directly through WhatsApp - the messaging app used by the majority of UK adults.

What does this mean?

• Consumers now have instant access to AI-driven financial education, information and decision-making support.
• If they have a question about financial planning, they don’t have to search for an adviser - they can ask AI in seconds.
• Some will use AI as their first stop for guidance, while others may use it to validate what they hear from a professional. And yes, some will use it to find a professional they can talk to.

Either way, it’s a shift that financial advisers cannot afford to ignore.

AI in Advice – A Threat or an Opportunity?

The knee-jerk reaction from some advisers will be to see this as competition. But the more strategic approach is to ask:

?? How can I use these same AI tools to my advantage?

The firms that will thrive in the coming years are not just the ones who automate admin tasks faster. They’re the ones who use AI to:

• Reposition themselves as authorities in a world where consumers increasingly turn to AI for information.
• Develop new ways to package and sell their expertise beyond traditional 1:1 advice models.
• Reach new audiences who aren't normally able to engage with an adviser.

Three AI-Powered Business Development Prompts for Forward-Thinking Advisers

To keep looking ahead, advisers should actively use AI to challenge their thinking. Here are three prompts you can use with ChatGPT right now to explore new possibilities:

1?? “Based on my expertise in [your niche], what new digital products or services could I develop that would allow me to serve a broader audience without needing 1:1 meetings?”

?? Why this matters: AI allows advisers to scale in new ways. Instead of being limited by how many clients you can personally work with, this prompt helps you explore ways to monetise your knowledge without increasing workload.

Follow-up prompts for deeper thinking:

• "What common financial questions do people search for online that I could answer through a digital product?"
• "How could I package my expertise into an online course, toolkit, membership or AI-powered assistant?"
• "If I were to create a low-cost digital product, what format (e.g., video, written guide, templates, interactive AI tool) would work best?"
• "What problems do my existing clients have that I already solve, and how could I make those solutions available at scale?"
• "If I were to build a conversational AI tool for my website, what specific pain points should it address?"

2?? “If I wanted to create an AI-powered tool that acts as the first step in my client journey, what are the most effective ways I could structure it?”

?? Why this matters: Most advisers still rely on word-of-mouth and passive referrals. AI allows you to engage prospects instantly, qualify leads and educate them before they ever speak to you - shortening the sales cycle and increasing conversion rates.

Follow-up prompts for deeper thinking:

• "How could I use AI to capture leads and warm them up before a discovery call?"
• "What questions do my ideal clients ask before they ever decide to work with an adviser? How can I pre-answer them?"
• "Could I create a mini-AI assistant that provides tailored financial education, helping clients feel more prepared to take the next step?"
• "How could AI help me create a self-assessment tool that segments potential clients based on their needs?"
• "If I were to build an AI-powered onboarding experience, what key steps and content should it include?"

3?? “What are three untapped markets where my knowledge and skills could be applied in a new way - and how could I use AI to break into them?”

?? Why this matters: Many advisers compete in the same crowded space without realising that AI makes it easier than ever to enter new markets. Instead of chasing the same pool of higher-net-worth clients, this prompt helps you uncover overlooked opportunities where your expertise could be applied in fresh, lucrative ways.

Follow-up prompts for deeper thinking:

• "What under-served groups could benefit from my expertise, but may not think they need an adviser?"
• "How could AI help me reach, educate and sell profitable services to these new audiences at scale?"
• "Could I create a low-cost digital subscription model that serves a different market than my traditional client base?"
• "Are there corporate partnerships where I could offer AI-powered financial education as an employee benefit?"
• "How could AI help me package my expertise into an online financial training course for a niche audience (e.g., business owners, freelancers, teachers, NHS workers)?"

The Future is Already Here – Are You Taking Advantage Of It?

AI is changing professional services at an accelerating pace. Whether you see it as a challenge or an opportunity will depend on how you choose to respond.

One thing is certain: The firms that only use AI for back-office efficiencies will blend in. The firms that use AI to reimagine their proposition will stand out.

How are you planning to use AI in your business?

??Every day we post challenging personal and business development prompts that financial advisers can use with ChatGPT and other AI tools. You can access them and much more in the Adviser Growth Community here...