From Skeptic to Advocate: Why I Changed My Mind About AI in Finance

I used to be wary of artificial intelligence. Excited by what I could see possible. But not ever quite trusting.

Like many of you, I approached it with caution. Was this just another tech trend that would take more time and complexity than it was worth?

My journey from skeptic to advocate didn’t happen overnight. It began with curiosity. With a piqued interest behind my, “What if….?”

Nature has a way of bringing clarity to my thoughts. I am fortunate that I can step out into it, almost whenever I wish. The forested hills and bubbling stream; the little robins and fantails, and the soaring falcons, all help to ground me and expand my thinking into new streams of consciousness.

Through hours spent at my computer, with visits of nature woven through them, I now see AI differently.

Originally explored for my pure inner nerd satisfaction, soon enough my background in leadership coaching and business systems analysis, drew me into a deeper understanding. I caught glimpses of how this technology could enhance my coaching practice. My technological curiosity evolved into something so much more meaningful.

An unexpected doorway opened.?

A financial advisor friend of mine bore the brunt of my growing AI enthusiasm. “Why don’t you use ChatGPT for that? Have you tried Claude? Oh, and what about…?!” I’d excitedly share every new discovery. Finally, he said something that’s changed everything: “If you can help me use AI to actually solve this specific challenge in my practice, then it would be worth bringing into my business.”

That conversation lit up inside me. Something crucial. The real power of AI isn’t in its technological capabilities, nor in all the amazing and incredible things we could use it for. Our tangible traction forward in using AI will come from the ability to create space for what truly matters: those transformative conversations with clients, the moments of genuine connection that make financial advice so valuable - beyond dollars and cents, and portfolio forecasts.

Working closely with advisors, I’ve realised that the most profound impact of AI isn’t about replacing humans as it takes over some of our tasks.? The true compounding effect is that human wisdom is being amplified. Think about those moments when you’re fully present with a client, when you can see their eyes light up as they share their dreams, or when you help them navigate through financial certainty with confidence.?

These are the moments that matter.?

Yet too often, we squish them between administrative tasks, documentation requirements, and all the other 120 things on our to-do lists.

I’ve seen advisors light up when sharing stories about their clients’ innovative business ideas, taking flight under their guidance. These are the advisors who see beyond the numbers into the heart of the human stories, who want to create space for more and more, of those transformative conversations. They’re not looking to automate their relationships - they’re seeking ways to deepen them.

This feels profound for me. Both for my own work, and for the advisors I work with. Like many of you, my first concern that AI could make our work feel less personal - less human - was well founded. But with thoughtful and precise planning and instruction, the opposite is true.

Delegate to AI. The right things, in the right way, using the right technology - for your practice. Then you are creating more space for genuine human connection. The technology isn’t replacing your personal touch - it’s enabling more of it.

Instead of dismissing wild ideas - like my favourite ‘bees on a truck’ story - use AI to help analyse financial viability. Then weave this expertly - as only you can do - through your client’s innovative spirit.

This is what excites me about AI’s potential - not just its ability to handle routine tasks, but its power to help us support our clients’ dreams in practical, meaningful ways.

But here is what I believe matters most: This isn’t about adopting AI for the sake of doing so. It’s not about keeping up with trends or fear of being left behind. It’s about finding those specific areas in your practice where technology can free you to be more present, more focused, and more impactful - in your client relationships.

It’s about using AI intentionally and specifically - to get things done in a way that enhances rather than replaces, your unique value.

The journey from skeptic to advocate hasn’t made me less discerning. It has made me more so. It’s made me focus more on what truly matters - using technology in ways that are secure, compliant, and genuinely beneficial to both advisors and their clients. Like the bubbling stream I mentioned earlier, AI should flow naturally into your practice, supporting rather than disrupting, the important work you do.

I’ve come to see AI as a tool for illumination - not just in terms of insights and efficiency, but in creating space for your wisdom and expertise to shine more brightly. It’s about having the time to truly listen when a client shares their hopes for retirement, their concerns about market volatility, or their dreams of starting a new venture.

The question I now ask myself, and invite you to consider, isn’t “Should we use AI?” but rather, “How can we use AI wisely to create more space for what truly matters in our practice? What aspects of your work, fi automated thoughtfully and securely, would allow you to be more present with your clients? How might your practice transform if you had more time for those meaningful conversations that truly make a difference?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Where do you see yourself on this AI journey? What possibilities excite you? What concerns keep you hesitant??

Let’s explore this transformation together, always keeping our focus on what matters most - the human connections that make financial advice truly valuable.

#FinancialAdvice #AIInFinance #PracticeTransformation #ClientRelationships #Innovation #HumanConnection