AI and the future of Australian wealth advice

Seventy-four percent of Australian advice practices now use AI. That statistic, published by IFA in May 2025, signals a tipping point. Australia’s wealth sector is not just dabbling in artificial intelligence. It is adopting it faster than any other region globally. But most of this AI remains stuck in pilot mode.

The stakes for wealth managers could not be higher. Consumer expectations are shifting. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. Competition is intensifying. The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but whether it can be scaled safely, strategically and across the enterprise.

AI is delivering value now. But not everywhere.

Let’s start with the positives. Commonwealth Bank’s ChatIT and Copilot suite, featured in Microsoft’s 2025 AI Innovators list, reduced adviser preparation time by 25 percent. That is not just an operational improvement. It is a capacity amplifier. More clients served. More proactive advice. More consistent, explainable outcomes.

• The CSIRO and NAIC’s AI Ecosystem Momentum report documents over 300 active AI deployments across fintech, regtech and wealth in Australia. 

• AustralianSuper’s FY2025 results highlighted strong returns and renewed investment in digital transformation. 

• Aware Super delivered its third consecutive year of double-digit returns, again underpinned by digital innovation.

Clearly, AI is moving the needle. But the real challenge lies in extending these wins across the whole organisation.

The hidden cost of pilot-mode thinking

Across the sector, AI initiatives remain fragmented. Chatbots are assisting with customer service. AI models are being trialled for compliance monitoring. Advisers are experimenting with predictive tools to streamline risk profiling. These are useful, but they are not transformative.

Many firms are stuck in the “pilot trap”. Bespoke models are deployed in isolation. Vendor tools are trialled without a clear integration plan. Others hesitate due to concerns about data readiness, systems complexity or regulatory risk.

Meanwhile, digital-first challengers are racing ahead. Fintech players and global entrants are delivering seamless, AI-powered platforms that provide always-on, personalised service. Their advantage lies in more than the technology. It is in the confidence to scale.

Global benchmark: CBA leads with real savings

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is one of the few incumbents turning pilot into production. Its ChatIT and Copilot platform has been recognised for saving up to 25 percent in adviser prep time. That translates into greater reach, faster compliance, and more time for customer value.

This is what it looks like to move AI from proof of concept to infrastructure.

Journey case study: Lemmi and the new investor mindset

Over in New Zealand, JOURNEY partnered with New Zealand Financial Planning (NZFP) to launch Lemmi, a digital-first wealth platform tailored to the expectations of emerging investors. Lemmi combines investment science with behavioural coaching, delivering intuitive and personalised onboarding.

Using JOURNEY’s Solve & Evolve methodology, the team reimagined onboarding with a quiz-like journey, aligning personal values to investment strategies while meeting compliance needs. It’s a model built for scale and trust.

From pilot to production with confidence.

Scaling AI is not just about tools. It is about trust. And structure.

At JOURNEY, our Solve & Evolve™️ methodology helps firms build for scale with confidence. We focus on:

• Elevating the customer experience 

• Using AI and digital transformation to augment adviser capacity

• Aligning digital strategy with regulatory frameworks

Five questions to get real about scale

1. Are we building connected customer and AI journeys, or isolated experiments?

2. Are our advisers equipped and confident to use AI tools, or quietly resisting them?

3. Are our systems architected for explainability and compliance, or just capability?

4. Are we involving regulatory and CX leaders early enough in the build?

5. Are we designing for the actual needs and behaviours of emerging investors?

These questions reveal what roadmaps often miss. Before scaling, check for these blind spots:

• Misalignment between tech and adviser culture

• AI features that excite product teams but confuse end users

• Data assumptions that don't reflect investor behaviour

• Change fatigue inside legal and compliance teams

Integration is the key

AI is no longer a future trend. It is the infrastructure for scaled advice, better operations and better outcomes. The firms that lead will not be those who adopt AI first. 

They will be the ones who integrate it best.

Ready to move beyond pilots?

AI will power the next era of advice. But trust, transparency and human insight still matter. At JOURNEY, we help Australian wealth firms transition from experimentation to enterprise-wide capability, building adviser confidence and embedding regulatory assurance from the outset.

To learn how AI-powered advice can amplify your firm’s capacity, get in touch to start your Solve & Evolve™ journey