The rise of AI agents in wealth management

During the past two years, investors have poured over $2 billion into startups working with agentic AI, according to Deloitte. The surge in interest is no surprise – AI agents have the potential to revolutionize entire industries, and wealth management is no exception.

From automating administrative tasks to enhancing financial decision-making, AI agents are paving the way for a new era in wealth management where efficiency and human expertise go hand in hand.

What are AI agents?

AI agents are autonomous systems designed to interact with their environment and complete tasks with minimal human intervention. These agents vary in complexity, from simple rule-based systems to highly sophisticated models that continuously learn and improve.

Unlike traditional AI models that require human input at every step, AI agents can make independent decisions, store memory, and refine their approach based on past experiences.

Sometimes referred to as LLM agents due to their reliance on large language models, AI agents also leverage machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to process data and generate insights.

Their functionality depends on three core components: sensors to perceive the environment, a control center to process information, and effectors to execute actions.

The sensors can be physical (e.g., cameras) or digital (e.g., queries to databases). Their environment can be physical – like a self-driving car navigating a city – or digital, such as an AI agent managing financial data to optimize investments. The control center is the core of the agent that processes the input from its environment and determines the best course of action. Types of effectors can range from robotic arms or wheels to digital answers in a customer service chat.

In order to function, the agent needs user input in the form of, for instance, digital instructions or voice-based commands.

From customer support to self-driving cars, AI agents are already proving their value across industries. Simple agents can automate standard email responses, while more advanced ones can plan and book entire business trips based on user preferences.

What are the differences between regular AI and agentic AI?

The primary distinction between traditional AI and agentic AI lies in autonomy. AI agents have agency.

Traditional AI, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, responds to predefined commands but lacks independent decision-making capabilities and memory. Agentic AI, on the other hand, learns from past experiences, stores memory, and continuously refines its decision-making process over time.

Unlike standard AI, which serves primarily as an assistant, AI agents assume a more proactive role, operating on behalf of the user.

Regular AI, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, processes requests and delivers responses based on predefined patterns. In contrast, agentic AI can observe, analyze, and execute tasks independently.

With the ability to store memory and learn from past interactions, agentic AI continuously improves its decision-making process and adjusts strategies accordingly.

While regular AI assists users by providing answers, agentic AI takes the lead, managing tasks and driving processes forward with a high degree of intelligence and adaptability.

The shift from reactive to proactive intelligence is setting a new standard for how businesses and individuals interact with AI-powered solutions.

Types of AI agents

As mentioned, AI agents vary in complexity, and there are several types. Let’s break them down quickly:

Simple reflex agents

This type of agent is suitable for simple tasks as it operates based on a set of pre-determined condition-action rules; a certain condition in the environment triggers a certain response from the agent.

These agents don’t hold memory which means they don’t learn from past experiences; they simply react in response to their current environment.

Simple reflex agents don’t interact with other agents and cannot respond to conditions they’re not prepared for.

Model-based agents

As the name implies, these agents have an internal model of the world around them. While also limited by a set of rules, their ability to hold memory allows them to fill in some data gaps based on past experience.

Model-based agents evaluate probable outcomes and consequences before deciding what action to take and when.

By combining memory data with current information, model-based agents continuously learn and improve based on their experience.

Goal-based agents

Goal-based agents take it a step further by planning their actions before executing them. These agents use robust reasoning to evaluate environment data and choose the best way to reach the goal set by the user.

Utility-based agents

Utility-based agents are based on complex reasoning algorithms that maximize the outcome of their actions. They compare different scenarios and opt for the one with the best outcome based on their user’s preferences.

Learning agents

These agents continuously learn and adapt over time by storing user activity for learning purposes. They improve their performance by basing new actions on what they’ve learned.

Hierarchical agents

These are agents that operate in a tiered hierarchy where higher-level agents break down complex tasks into simpler sub-tasks and assign them to lower-level agents. In that way, the higher-level agents are coordinating the work of lower-level agents to achieve the goal.

What's new about AI agents?

After reading about the different types of AI agents, you might be wondering what exactly is new about them. “Robot vacuum cleaners have been around for 30 years,” you might point out. So, does this mean that we’ve already had AI agents for 30 years?

Yes and no.

The short answer is that while AI agents in some form have been around for decades, the level of sophistication, autonomy, and adaptability we’re seeing today is entirely new. Yes, robot vacuum cleaners have been navigating living rooms since the early 2000s, but those early AI agents were simple reflex agents following pre-set rules and reacting to immediate environmental changes without learning or evolving. They didn’t store memory, improve over time, or collaborate with other systems to optimize their actions.

When referring to AI agents, many people are thinking of today’s more advanced types of AI agents which are different due to their ability to think beyond the moment. Instead of just reacting, they plan, adapt, and execute complex tasks with minimal human oversight. They learn from past interactions, break down goals into step-by-step actions, and even coordinate with other AI systems to refine their decision-making.

This shift from rule-based automation to proactive, self-improving intelligence is why AI agents are now at the center of the conversation.

AI agents are no longer just an interesting feature in household gadgets but a disruptive force in industries like wealth management, finance, and enterprise automation.

However, AI agents come with both benefits and challenges. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using them.

Pros and cons of using AI agents

AI agents bring undeniable advantages to wealth management. They reduce costs, save time, and enhance productivity by automating tasks that previously required human intervention. With the ability to work 24/7, they increase scalability and efficiency, allowing wealth managers to focus on high-value strategic decisions.

However, challenges remain.

AI agents can introduce risks if they malfunction or generate inaccurate insights, which is why it’s necessary to keep humans in the loop.

Data privacy and compliance concerns must be addressed, as wealth management deals with sensitive financial information.

Ethical challenges, including algorithmic bias and job displacement, also require careful consideration.

While AI agents can enhance fraud detection, they can also be exploited by cybercriminals, making security a top priority.

For wealth managers, the key is to strike a balance – leveraging AI for automation while maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy, trust, and compliance.

For wealth managers, the key is to strike a balance – leveraging AI for automation while maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy, trust, and compliance.

AI agents in wealth management

In industries like wealth management, which manage vast amounts of data and information, firms that integrate AI-driven automation will gain a significant competitive advantage. However, given the nature of many delicate decisions in this field, the human element will remain paramount.

The human element

We will not see humans become irrelevant. We will see them becoming empowered and their skills augmented. Think of it like Mario eating a fire flower and becoming Super Mario. The same will happen to wealth managers using agentic AI. They’ll be able to do more in less time and make better decisions.

A smaller administrative burden and more time for clients

Agentic AI can streamline client onboarding, automate compliance checks, conduct deep financial research, and manage portfolios more efficiently. By handling administrative burdens, AI agents free up advisors to focus on strategic planning and building stronger client relationships.

Fraud detection

AI agents also enhance fraud detection by analyzing vast datasets to spot anomalies, identify identity theft risks, and flag suspicious transactions. Their ability to continuously learn makes them increasingly effective at preventing financial crime, thus helping financial institutions protect their clients.

Enhanced decision-making

One of the most significant advantages of AI agents in wealth management is their impact on decision-making. By analyzing market trends, forecasting asset values, and identifying patterns, they provide advisors with more accurate insights, leading to better financial strategies. However, front-office implementation remains a challenge, as ensuring AI-driven client interactions meet regulatory and ethical standards is complex.

For now, the greatest value lies in using AI agents for back-office optimization, allowing wealth managers to delegate research, reporting, and administrative work to AI while focusing on high-level decision-making. However, AI agents are also already being used for hyper-personalized client communication, automated portfolio updates, and predictive financial advice.

Integrating AI agents into current wealth tech

Wealth management firms need to integrate agentic AI seamlessly into existing wealth tech ecosystems. Firms rely on a complex infrastructure of CRM platforms, risk assessment tools, compliance software, and portfolio management systems, and AI agents must enhance, rather than disrupt, these workflows.

The key to successful adoption lies in interoperability. AI agents need to communicate with existing systems, pull relevant financial data, and execute tasks without creating inefficiencies or compliance risks.

Without proper integration, AI-driven automation can become more of a burden than a benefit, requiring wealth managers to spend time troubleshooting instead of focusing on strategic decision-making.

Conclusion

The rise of AI agents in wealth management presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. Striking the right balance between innovation and responsible implementation is crucial. AI agents must operate with transparency, ensuring that their decision-making processes are explainable and aligned with regulatory standards.

As AI ecosystems evolve, we may see a marketplace of AI agents, much like the app stores we use today, empowering wealth managers with tools tailored to their specific needs. Firms that embrace this transformation – leveraging AI for automation while maintaining human oversight – will not only optimize efficiency but also redefine the future of wealth management.

In this new era, AI agents won’t replace wealth managers. They’ll supercharge them. And those who harness this technology wisely will lead the industry into the future.