Adapt or risk being left behind: How to prepare for an AI-driven workforce

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace has sparked widespread concern surrounding employment in an AI-dominated workforce.

A study from McKinsey reported that 70 per cent of business activities could be automated by 2030 using GenAI technology. While AI is unlikely to completely replace the current workforce, financial professionals must adapt now or risk being left behind.

Ahead of the Adviser Innovation Summit, Angela Shi shared how financial advisers can prepare for an AI-driven future without needing a technology background.

Unlike many AI professionals with strict technical skills, Shi entered the AI space from a finance background. Her business savvy paired with AI expertise provides a practical, business-first perspective on AI.

In anticipation of her session at the upcoming summit, Shi shared how her unique approach to utilising AI to enhance business outcomes is critical for financial advisers navigating compliance, trust and evolving technologies.

“My background in finance means I’ve always looked at AI through the lens of business value, not just model performance.”

Financial advisers aren’t expected to be AI experts but it’s critical to understand the practical implications of AI integration before adopting the technology into your workflow, according to Shi.

“What matters most is how AI fits into real workflows, solves real problems, supports regulatory obligations and delivers measurable value.

“Having worked in senior finance roles, I understand the pressure points, whether it’s compliance, cost control, or client trust and that’s shaped how I think about AI: it’s not just about capability, it’s about context,” she said.

At the Adviser Innovation Summit, Shi will guide advisers in understanding the day-to-day implications of adopting AI in business operations.

She will assess the real-world challenges of introducing the ever-evolving technology, examining key pain points such as accountability when integrating AI into financial advice.

“Practically, many AI tools are not built with regulated industries in mind,” she said.

“They often lack features like audit trails, consistent output versioning or explainability.”

“These are essential in finance, where accountability and transparency are non-negotiable,” she added.

“Ethically, the main challenge is around responsibility,” Shi said.

“If AI contributes to a client recommendation or compliance report, professionals need to remain accountable for the outcome, even if they didn’t manually generate it.”

“That requires understanding the limitations of AI, reviewing outputs carefully and ensuring that final decisions are made with informed human oversight,” she added.

To hear Angela Shi speak more on adapting to an AI-driven workforce, come along to the Adviser Innovation Summit 2025.

The summit will be held in the following locations:

• Wednesday, 4 June 2025 at Pullman Melbourne on the Park, Melbourne
• Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at Amora Hotel, Sydney

Click here to buy your tickets and don’t miss out!

For more information, including agenda and speakers, click here.