Cognitive Computing: Impacts on Financial Advice in Wealth Management

Abstract

Cognitive computing is a form of problem-solving that incorporates machine learning, big data, data mining, natural language processing, machine vision, robotics, and other strands of artificial intelligence. Cognitive computing solutions can be used as sole or partial solutions to augment decision-making. The financial services industry is in a state of transformation, driven by the convergence of rapid changes in financial service technologies (fintech) – including cognitive computing, the digitization of the consumer, the emergence of younger investors (millennials), increased regulatory scrutiny (DOL regulation), and continued fee compression for products and services. Cognitive computing offers a disruptive opportunity in the financial services industry by not only empowering the financial intermediary but also by delivering increased engagement and value to the consumer.

This study examines how the use of cognitive computing to improve financial advice can provide value for the financial intermediary and the end consumer. For the intermediary, the study will assess how cognitive computing can augment and supercharge the expertise of the financial advisor, enabling the advisor to deliver improved advice. For the consumer, the study will assess how cognitive computing can deliver high-quality, accurate advice comparable to that of a human advisor.