In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank take a grounded, advisor-first look at how AI is actually changing the profession - and why the future of advice is still fundamentally human.
Rather than fearing AI, Frank explains why this moment closely mirrors the rise of online trading in the early 2000s - a shift that many believed would eliminate advisors, but ultimately made great advisors even more valuable.
This conversation centers on a critical idea:
Technology can provide data. Only humans can provide wisdom.
Frank and Stacey break down how AI can enhance efficiency, buy back time, and improve service - while also exposing advisors who rely solely on technology without building real client relationships.
They also introduce the concept of co-intelligence - where advisors use AI as a tool, not a replacement and explain why empathy, clarity, and human judgment remain the true differentiators in financial advice.
Key questions explored in this episode:
Will AI put financial advisors out of business?
No. But it will challenge advisors who lack a strong service model or meaningful client relationships.
Why doesn’t AI replace the advisor-client relationship?
Because clients don’t hire advisors for calculations - they hire them for clarity, reassurance, and guidance through uncertainty.
How should advisors be using AI today?
As a way to remove friction, automate tasks, and free up time to focus on deeper client conversations and better service.
What is “co-intelligence”?
A mindset where AI delivers information, while advisors provide judgment, empathy, and leadership.
What happens to advisors who ignore AI altogether?
They risk falling behind firms that use technology to become more efficient - and more human - at the same time.
If you’re a financial advisor wondering how AI fits into your practice - or worried about what it means for your future - this episode offers perspective, clarity, and a practical way forward.
Chapters:
00:49 – Intro
02:55 – Online Trading Parallel
04:40 – AI Fear
05:30 – Human Advice
08:47 – Co-Intelligence
10:46 – Clarity vs Calculators
12:58 – Human Advantage
16:25 – Service Wins
Learn more about Elite and our resources:
Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions
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Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors
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Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions
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JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors
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