London, 07 May 2026 – The latest research from global wealth management technology provider GBST shows that almost two-thirds (62%) of UK advisers are already comfortable with the concept of agentic AI being used in investment platforms*. However, this growing openness to AI contrasts with the practical realities of deploying it safely within regulated environments. GBST argues that the broader debate around the impact of AI on financial services has become oversimplified.
AI is increasingly viewed as a universal disruptor. However, for highly regulated firms dealing with millions of customers and billions of pounds worth of investment, it will need to be embedded in existing controls and governance. Rather than replacing core wealth management platforms, AI will be built within proven infrastructure that can already manage complexity, regulation and risk.
For wealth managers, there’s a significant opportunity to improve efficiency, speed up processes and cut errors, but only within strict limits and controls. With people’s financial security at stake, the priority is to ensure AI operates reliably every time, delivering outcomes that clients and regulators can trust.
GBST has identified five ways AI will impact wealth management and platform technology over the next two years.
Rob DeDominicis, CEO of GBST, said: “At the moment, there’s too much focus on the disruption AI could cause and not enough on how it can be used safely to transform complex, manual processes. Platforms and wealth managers in the UK have come a long way in automating routine processes in the last 15 years, but human intervention is still required in too many situations, adding risk, cost and delay. AI can deliver the next round of efficiency, but only if it operates within existing controls, executing processes consistently and transparently. Firms are starting to move away from AI experimentation and are looking for real operational impact. But for AI to become genuinely valuable, we need it to meet required industry standards. We’re responsible for millions of people’s long-term financial security so there’s no room for shortcuts.”
* Research by the lang cat among 178 UK financial advisers in April 2026 found that 62% said they were very comfortable or a little comfortable with agentic AI technology being embedded in the platforms they use.
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