AI Makes Lawyers of Us All "AI makes lawyers of us all." One of our Get SAFE clients said this to me recently. They weren't suggesting that AI replaces solicitors. They weren't claiming everyone is suddenly qualified to practise law. They were describing something they had just experienced. For the first time, they were able … Continue reading AI Makes Lawyers of Us All
Author: Steve Conley
Steve Conley is the founder of the Academy of Life Planning, a movement dedicated to restoring human agency in financial planning and helping people navigate life's decisions with greater confidence, capability and independence.
With over 40 years' experience in financial services, Steve has held senior leadership roles with HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and Royal London. A Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Insurer, he combines deep industry expertise with a passion for challenging systems that leave people unnecessarily dependent on experts.
Steve believes the future of financial planning is not about replacing advisers with artificial intelligence, but using AI to strengthen people's ability to understand, question and make informed decisions for themselves. This philosophy underpins Academy OS, a growing ecosystem of AI-powered tools designed to help individuals, families and planners build capability rather than dependency.
Through the Academy of Life Planning, Steve works with financial planners, organisations and individuals who share a vision of a more transparent, ethical and human-centred approach to planning. His work spans education, research, technology, speaking and professional development, with a focus on creating practical solutions that improve financial capability and restore confidence in decision-making.
Steve is also the creator of the Total Wealth Planner approach, which recognises that a fulfilling life depends on far more than money alone. By integrating financial, personal, social and purpose-driven wellbeing, he helps people pursue what he calls "enough"—a life of balance, resilience and meaning.
As a speaker, mentor and author of *Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers*, Steve continues to challenge conventional thinking about financial planning, arguing that the profession's greatest opportunity is to move beyond advice alone and become a catalyst for greater human agency.
To learn more or connect with Steve, visit the Academy of Life Planning or email steve@academyoflifeplanning.com.
The Profession Is Investing in More Professionals. But Who Is Investing in More Capable Citizens?
We've Invested in Professionals. Now Let's Invest in People. The Personal Finance Society has announced that it will continue investing its reserves to attract new entrants into the financial planning profession. It is a significant commitment, building on a £1 million programme to remove barriers, fund qualifications and promote financial planning as a career. That … Continue reading The Profession Is Investing in More Professionals. But Who Is Investing in More Capable Citizens?
Are Banks Promoting the Right People?
When I was made redundant from RBS Group, I was told I was "not alpha male enough." At the time, I dismissed it as just another piece of corporate jargon. Looking back, it raises a much deeper question. What exactly do organisations mean when they reward people for being more "alpha"? Are they selecting for … Continue reading Are Banks Promoting the Right People?
The Next Great Transition Is From Institutional Authority to Human Agency
For decades, society has been built on the assumption that institutions hold decision authority on our behalf. But confidence in those institutions is falling, while AI is making knowledge and reasoning available to everyone. The challenge of our age is not deciding whether to trust AI or institutions. It is restoring human agency so that … Continue reading The Next Great Transition Is From Institutional Authority to Human Agency
Why Total Wealth Planners See the Future Differently
The biggest difference between those inside and outside the Academy isn't belief in human agency. It's that those inside have stopped asking whether the future is coming and have started building businesses for it. When you're inside the movement, you see a different future from those looking in. Over the past few weeks, I've been … Continue reading Why Total Wealth Planners See the Future Differently
Before You Accept That Graduate Financial Planning Job, Ask Yourself One Question
Not every financial planning career is built to achieve the same purpose. A growing number of graduates are entering financial planning because they genuinely want to help people. They enjoy personal finance. They care about psychology. They like solving problems. They want to make a positive difference to people's lives. The profession needs people like … Continue reading Before You Accept That Graduate Financial Planning Job, Ask Yourself One Question
The Next Battle Isn’t for the Customer Interface. It’s for Human Agency.
Where does the long-term economic power probably sit? With Institutions or Citizens? Jason Butler recently published an insightful LinkedIn post arguing that the future of financial services will not be won through better investment research or faster suitability reports. Instead, he suggests the real strategic battleground is interface control, behavioural data, engagement frequency and trusted … Continue reading The Next Battle Isn’t for the Customer Interface. It’s for Human Agency.
Don’t Fix the Supply Side. Empower the Demand Side.
Most organisations are trying to make the supply side more efficient. The Academy is helping the demand side become more capable. For decades, innovation in financial planning has focused on improving the supply side of the market: better platforms, better products, better regulation, better adviser technology and, more recently, AI for advisers. The Academy of … Continue reading Don’t Fix the Supply Side. Empower the Demand Side.
Human Agency, Personal Sovereignty, Governance and Stewardship: Four Ideas That Belong Together
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, a new question is emerging: How do we ensure technology strengthens people rather than quietly taking their place? At the Academy of Life Planning, our answer has always begun with one idea: Restore human agency. Agency is a person's ability to think clearly, question confidently, make informed decisions and … Continue reading Human Agency, Personal Sovereignty, Governance and Stewardship: Four Ideas That Belong Together
When Clients Arrive Having Already Asked ChatGPT, the Advice Model Has Already Changed
Advisers Are Talking About Cutting Fees. The Bigger Story Is Why. A recent Citywire interview with Ian Else carried a headline that should make every financial planner stop and think: "I'm looking at cutting my advice fees because of AI." It's a rational response. If AI reduces the time it takes to research, analyse, write … Continue reading When Clients Arrive Having Already Asked ChatGPT, the Advice Model Has Already Changed
Academy of Life Planning 