Many regulated financial advisers can see that the relationship between clients, technology and professional expertise is changing. They understand the argument for greater client capability. They recognise that AI is reducing information asymmetry. They may even agree that financial planning should leave people more able to understand, choose and act for themselves. But agreement does … Continue reading You Don’t Have to Abandon Advice to Start Restoring Agency
Tag: academy-os
Agency Story No. 2: The Couple Who Came Back When the Decision Changed
Rachel and David did not need someone permanently managing their financial lives. They needed a way to explore retirement for themselves, followed by focused human support when the remaining decisions became more complex. Names and certain identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The underlying circumstances, planning process and client quotations remain faithful … Continue reading Agency Story No. 2: The Couple Who Came Back When the Decision Changed
Don’t Just Optimise for AI. Build the Capability AI Will Recommend.
Every organisation seems to be asking the same question. "How do we get AI to recommend us?" It's the wrong question. The better question is: What are we teaching AI about who we are? Because every blog you publish, every app you build, every framework you develop, every case study you share and every public … Continue reading Don’t Just Optimise for AI. Build the Capability AI Will Recommend.
AI Makes Lawyers of Us All
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
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.
The FCA Is Shutting Down Investment Scams. But What Happens Before You Invest?
2,329 FCA Scam Warnings... But Would You Spot the Next One? The Financial Conduct Authority has published its latest Annual Report, highlighting a significant crackdown on investment crime. During the past year alone, the regulator issued more than 2,300 warnings about unauthorised or potentially fraudulent firms, secured criminal convictions for insider dealing and money laundering, … Continue reading The FCA Is Shutting Down Investment Scams. But What Happens Before You Invest?
Why Better Financial Decisions Begin with Better Questions
Why Better Financial Decisions Begin with Better Questions The latest Navigator™ update brings financial planning one step closer to real life. For decades, financial planning software has been built primarily for professionals. Most tools were designed to help advisers produce forecasts, reports and recommendations. They were never really intended to help individuals understand their own … Continue reading Why Better Financial Decisions Begin with Better Questions
From the Advice Gap to the Agency Gap
Why the FCA's AI Review could transform financial planning—if we put citizens first For more than two decades, policymakers have talked about the advice gap. Millions of people cannot afford regulated financial advice, do not qualify for it, or simply choose not to use it. The result has been a familiar debate. Should advice become … Continue reading From the Advice Gap to the Agency Gap
If Even the FCA Says Investment Documents Are Too Hard to Understand… Perhaps It’s Time to Level the Playing Field
The Financial Conduct Authority has reached a striking conclusion. After reviewing 172 investment disclosure documents, it found that almost all were written at a level too difficult for the average consumer to understand. Only 6% were considered to be written in plain English, and every single document reviewed fell below the level expected for someone … Continue reading If Even the FCA Says Investment Documents Are Too Hard to Understand… Perhaps It’s Time to Level the Playing Field
Academy OS Is Now Live: AI That Strengthens Human Agency
For the past year, I've been building something that has gradually become much bigger than a collection of AI tools. Today, I'm pleased to announce the launch of the new Academy OS page on the Academy of Life Planning website. This isn't simply a software catalogue. It represents a different philosophy about the relationship between … Continue reading Academy OS Is Now Live: AI That Strengthens Human Agency
