FinTech

by Team Azilen

January 22, 2026

The Impact of AI on Financial Planning: Insights from a Global FPSB Study

TL;DR:

A 2025 global research report by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the financial planning profession. Based on a survey of over 6,200 practitioners across 24 territories, the study reveals that nearly two-thirds of firms have already adopted or are currently testing AI technology. While most professionals believe AI will improve client service, lower costs, and expand access to advice, they remain concerned about data privacy and the accuracy of digital outputs. Current applications focus heavily on automating communications, data collection, and administrative workflows to boost internal efficiency. To manage this transition, many planners are calling for enhanced professional development and standardized ethical guidelines to ensure the technology is used responsibly.

The Impact of AI on Financial Planning Global Research Report 2025, published by the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), provides a comprehensive analysis of how artificial intelligence is being integrated into the global financial planning profession.

Research Methodology

The research was conducted via an online survey between November and December 2024.

• Participants: 6,206 financial planners, including over 230,000 CFP professionals globally across 28 territories.

• Scope: 24 territories including the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, Australia, and various European and Asian nations.

• Objective: To explore current AI use, its impact, and its role in the global financial services industry in alignment with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

AI Adoption and Implementation

Nearly 2 in 3 financial planners (64%) report that their firm is either currently using AI or planning to do so within the next 12 months.

• Current Usage Status:

→ 38% are currently using AI.

→ 16% are currently piloting or testing AI.

→ 10% plan to use it in the next 12 months.

→ 35% have no plans to use AI.

• Firm Size Influence: Planners in small (2–10 planners) or very large (150+ planners) firms are more likely to adopt AI.

• Deployment Methods: Third-party vendor solutions (45%) are the most common, followed by in-house developed solutions (34%) and a combination of both (22%).

• Drivers for Adoption: The primary driver is internal business need (61%), outweighing industry demand (52%) and client demand (47%).

Common AI Models and Uses

Financial planners utilize a wide array of AI models, with Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, ClaudeAI) being the most popular at 43%. Other models include:

• AI built into financial advice software (38%).

• Practice management tools like Microsoft Copilot (37%).

• Robo-advice tools for clients (35%).

• New financial advice apps (33%).

Top Functional Uses of AI Include:

• Client Communications: 41%.

• Data Collection: 33%.

• Client Risk Profiling: 30%.

• Marketing and Promotions: 35%.

• Client Onboarding: 34%.

• Operational Productivity and Workflow: 33%.

Impact and Outlook

Planners generally maintain a positive outlook, with 50% viewing AI’s impact positively (18% highly positive, 32% somewhat positive) and only 8% viewing it negatively.

• Client Service: 78% believe AI will help them better serve their clients.

• Advice Quality: 60% believe it will enhance the quality of financial advice.

• Accessibility and Cost: 59% expect AI to reduce the cost of services, and 60% believe it will increase access for underserved populations.

• Opportunities: 61% see AI creating new opportunities for financial planners.

• Efficiency: On a scale of 1–10, the most common ratings for AI’s impact on work efficiency were 7 (18%), 8 (15%), and 5 (15%).

Risks and Concerns

Despite the optimism, planners identified significant risks associated with AI:

• Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: 47%.

• Accuracy and Reliability of Outputs: 42%.

• Data Issues: 29%.

• Lack of Human Touch: 24%.

• Model Issues: 22%.

• Over-reliance on Technology: 19%.

Professional Development and Education

61% of planners believe AI will require significant changes to financial planning education and certification.

• Public/Professional Benefit: 36% believe general AI education and training would be the most beneficial initiative.

• Top Skills Needed: Planners identified data analysis and interpretation (49%) as the top priority for professional development, followed by understanding AI fundamentals (34%) and ethical use of AI (34%).

• Governance: 45% of firms currently have an AI policy or provide guidance.
Demographics

• Professional Status: 60% of respondents are CFP professionals; 40% are other financial planning professionals.

• Industry Segments: Most work in Banking (54%), followed by Independent financial planners (21%), Insurance (9%), and Investments (8%).

• Firm Size: 34% work in small firms (2–10 planners), while 24% work in very large firms (150+ planners).

• Client Base: 33% of planners personally serve 51–100 clients, with 17% serving over 500 clients.

Citation

This summary is based on the GLOBAL RESEARCH REPORT 2025: Impact of AI on Financial Planning, published by the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) in 2025. The report examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in the financial planning profession worldwide and draws on insights from a global survey of 6,206 financial planning professionals across 24 territories. It highlights AI adoption levels, current and emerging use cases, perceived benefits for client service and efficiency, and key concerns related to data privacy, cybersecurity, accuracy, and ethical use. © 2025 Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Source: GLOBAL RESEARCH REPORT 2025: Impact of AI on Financial Planning (PDF).