Most advisors using AI today have access to the same tools. Yet some are getting dramatically more value from them than others.
That gap has little to do with the software itself.
ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude are widely available. The difference is how they’re being used.
That gap shows up clearly in the data. Section’s AI Proficiency Report found that weekly AI use among knowledge workers climbed from 55% to 67% in nine months, while only 5.5% of the workforce meets the bar for true proficiency.
Section’s AI Proficiency Report
By proficiency, we mean something simple: not just using AI tools, but consistently getting reliable, high-quality outputs that meaningfully improve work. In other words, more people are using AI, but very few are getting significantly more from it.
Consider a common advisor workflow.
After a client review meeting, one advisor asks AI to draft a follow-up email. The result is acceptable. It saves a few minutes and gets the job done.
Another advisor provides meeting notes, client context, planning priorities, and examples of previous communications. The resulting draft is more accurate, more personalized, and often requires less editing before it reaches the client.
Same tool. Different outcome.
The same pattern shows up in meeting preparation, research, prospect follow-up, and client communications.
For advisors, that’s an important distinction.
Optimal Insight
The firms seeing the greatest return from AI are not replacing expertise. They’re using AI to extend it. Experience, judgment, and client knowledge still drive the outcome. AI simply helps apply those strengths faster and more consistently.
For practices looking to improve client service, strengthen relationships, and create additional capacity without adding more hours to the week, that distinction is worth paying attention to.
Optimal AdvisorAI has worked with more than 20,000 financial professionals on practical AI that grows the practice. To see how, visit OptimalAdvisorAI.com
