Firms Struggle to Get Advisors to Adopt New AI Tools

Leaders discuss how showcasing the value of new AI tools can help advisors connect with clients

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:04pm

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At the T3 Conference, industry experts discussed the challenges wealth management firms face in getting financial advisors to actually incorporate new AI tools into their daily workflow, even after the firms have invested in purchasing the technology. Panelists shared strategies for demonstrating the value of AI tools in areas like behavioral analysis, prospecting, note-taking, and financial planning to encourage advisor adoption.

Why it matters

Adoption of new technologies by financial advisors is critical for wealth management firms to stay competitive and provide the best possible service to clients. However, getting advisors to actually use the tools firms invest in can be a significant hurdle. Understanding how to effectively showcase the value of AI tools is key to driving advisor adoption and realizing the full benefits of the technology.

The details

The panel at the T3 Conference featured experts who discussed how firms can encourage advisors to adopt new AI tools. They highlighted use cases where AI can provide value, such as behavioral analysis to better understand client mindsets, prospecting to gain insights on potential clients, note-taking to save time, and financial planning to expand capabilities. Firms have found success by instituting policies requiring advisors to use certain AI tools, as well as showcasing how the technology can enhance the advisor-client relationship.

  • The T3 Conference took place on March 11, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The players

Suzanne Siracuse

Founder and CEO of Suzanne Siracuse Consulting, who moderated the panel discussion.

Rita Robbins

President of Affiliated Advisors in New York City, who participated in the panel discussion.

Christy Hansard

A financial planner with FinoBlue Planning in Atlanta, who participated in the panel discussion.

Chrissy Lee

Chief Operating Officer of Merit Financial Advisors in Atlanta, who participated in the panel discussion.

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What they’re saying

“There's a million vendors out there, but getting advisors to use it and adopt it is a different story.”

— Suzanne Siracuse, Founder and CEO, Suzanne Siracuse Consulting (financial-planning.com)

“They might say one thing [about] how they feel about money and their future, but their behavior, that natural tendency, [can] sometimes be very different.”

— Chrissy Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Merit Financial Advisors (financial-planning.com)

“This isn't replacing the advisor. This wasn't where you were adding value. This isn't where you were applying your skills.”

— Christy Hansard, Financial Planner, FinoBlue Planning (financial-planning.com)

“We have an agenda. We know what we're going to do after the meetings. [We know] who's responsible for deliverables. So it's not scrambling in an unprepared way from meeting to meeting.”

— Rita Robbins, President, Affiliated Advisors (financial-planning.com)

What’s next

The panel discussion at the T3 Conference provided valuable insights for wealth management firms looking to drive greater adoption of new AI tools among their financial advisors. Firms can continue exploring strategies to showcase the value proposition of these technologies and institute policies to encourage consistent usage.

The takeaway

Adoption of AI tools by financial advisors remains a significant challenge for wealth management firms, even after investing in the technology. However, by demonstrating how these tools can enhance the advisor-client relationship, improve efficiency, and expand capabilities, firms can overcome resistance and drive greater utilization to the benefit of their practices and clients.