The final episode of INN8’s Digital Lowdown series brought the conversation about advisers and AI full circle, with Propulsion founder Francois du Toit and INN8’s head of platform innovation Michael Mulder, unpacking what it really means to adopt technology thoughtfully, not just enthusiastically.

While AI is often positioned as a game-changer for productivity, both speakers cautioned against rushing in. Du Toit noted that many advisers make the mistake of starting with the technology instead of the business challenge. The smarter approach, he said, is to first pinpoint what’s not working and only then consider how AI might help.

Mulder added on this idea, saying advisers should question whether they’ve fully used what they already have before adding more tools to the mix. He described AI as a kind of strategic adviser that can help assess the effectiveness of existing systems. Too often, he said, advisers “collect” technology rather than connect it, ending up with a stack of tools that don’t work together as efficiently as they could.

Du Toit also highlighted that most inefficiencies come from unclear processes, not inadequate tech. Instead of expecting AI to fix broken workflows, he encouraged advisers to tighten up their systems first and start small, focusing on simple back-office tasks that can quickly save time and reduce admin pressure.

Both speakers agreed that while AI is powerful, it should support rather than replace human judgement. Du Toit described it as a co-pilot, something that enhances your capability, not something to hand over the controls to.

As clients begin experimenting with AI-generated financial plans, advisers have an opportunity to step in as the human layer of insight, helping clients interpret what AI gets right, and where it misses the mark; yes, sometimes it missed the mark, and that's where you come in as the adviser, because you have a rapport with your client.

As the Digital Lowdown series concludes, one message rings clear: advisers don’t need to dive headfirst into AI, but they can’t keep their heads in the sand either.

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