By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning A recent study from MIT’s Media Lab sent ripples through the AI and education communities. It claimed that using ChatGPT to write SAT-style essays resulted in the lowest brain engagement among participants compared to those using Google Search or working unaided. EEG scans showed diminished neural activity, … Continue reading 🚀 Beyond the Essay: Why AI Should Elevate Our Thinking, Not Replace It
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When the Good Guys Get Attacked: Navigating Suspicion in Victim Support Groups
“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell The Challenge of Helping When you’ve devoted your life to helping victims of financial crime, you expect resistance from institutions—the banks, the regulators, the legal walls that protect the powerful. You don’t expect resistance from the victims themselves. But that’s … Continue reading When the Good Guys Get Attacked: Navigating Suspicion in Victim Support Groups
AI Won’t Wait — And Neither Should You
When it comes to preparing for an AI-powered future, Gen Z has been left hanging.Schools aren’t teaching it. Employers aren’t training for it. Policymakers are watching from the sidelines. And yet, AI is transforming the world of work — right now. According to a recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report, while 43% of Heartland … Continue reading AI Won’t Wait — And Neither Should You
Is the FCA Aligning Too Closely with the Regulated at the Expense of the Consumer?
By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial services watchdog, has long held a dual mandate: to protect consumers and to promote competition in the public interest. But following the latest Wealth Show podcast interview with Nick Hume, Head of Advisers, Wealth and Pensions at … Continue reading Is the FCA Aligning Too Closely with the Regulated at the Expense of the Consumer?
Planning the Person, Not the Portfolio: The Future of Financial Life Planning
In the world of traditional financial advice, the focus has too often been on the portfolio rather than the person.The processes of factfinding, risk profiling, and cashflow modelling have been framed as the core of “planning” — yet these steps have been primarily designed to lead clients towards product implementation. At the Academy of Life … Continue reading Planning the Person, Not the Portfolio: The Future of Financial Life Planning
Time to Retire the Narrow View: Why Human Capital Theory Must Evolve
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning For decades, policymakers and economists have placed immense faith in a reductive idea: that people are paid what they’re worth, and their “worth” can be measured by their skills, education, and productivity. This is the premise of mainstream human capital theory—a theory that has not only … Continue reading Time to Retire the Narrow View: Why Human Capital Theory Must Evolve
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services In the world of financial services, regulation is often mistaken for professionalism. The reality is more nuanced. While FCA-regulated financial advisers may dominate the conversation, they represent only a fraction of the industry. Financial planning is a broad profession, upheld by multiple professional … Continue reading The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
WhatsApp: The Future of Financial Advice Is in Your Hands
The financial world is being turned on its head. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has now made its way onto WhatsApp, offering people instant access to financial guidance at their fingertips. This isn’t just a technological leap—it’s a revolution in how we think about financial advice. Gone are the days when the keys to financial knowledge were locked … Continue reading WhatsApp: The Future of Financial Advice Is in Your Hands
AI in Financial Services: A Double-Edged Sword for the Underserved
The firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) play a critical role as manufacturers and distributors of retail financial products. However, only 8% of the population can afford to access these services via intermediaries, leaving 92% underserved. This gap has led many distributors to explore new ways to reach this community, and artificial intelligence … Continue reading AI in Financial Services: A Double-Edged Sword for the Underserved
ChatGPT Remembers You! An Exploration of the New Memory Feature
In today’s fast-paced world, solo entrepreneurs are juggling countless tasks at once. It can be overwhelming to manage everything without missing a beat. That’s where AI tools like ChatGPT’s new memory feature come into play—a groundbreaking capability designed to remember key details from your previous conversations, making your work life smoother and more efficient. For … Continue reading ChatGPT Remembers You! An Exploration of the New Memory Feature
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