Episode summary
Joel Bruckenstein on AI, Advisor Tech Trends and the Future of T3
Summary
Joel Bruckenstein says this year’s T3 Conference centered on making AI practical for advisors, not just fashionable. The event was built around longer, hands-on sessions and the new AI University, which he said was designed to show advisors what current tools can actually do for their businesses and to push them to act sooner. He argued that many firms think they understand AI because they have used ChatGPT or another LLM, but that they are still behind the more advanced agents and AI-enabled platforms already in market.
Bruckenstein also pointed to a wave of newer wealthtech platforms trying to sit on top of, or replace, existing advisor workflows. He cited Advisor 360, Jify, and Wall Street as examples, and highlighted Syntax’s AI agent Sadi as a sign of what he sees as the next generation of portfolio construction. Beyond new launches, he said the broader story is incumbents adding AI to improve the advisor experience.
On the study side, he said cyber software usage and satisfaction fell, which he called a serious concern given the threat cyber poses to advisory businesses. At the same time, overall software satisfaction is rising, which he framed as evidence that vendors are listening better to advisors. He also announced that T3 will return to the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas March 22nd through 25th.
Key takeaways
- Bruckenstein said T3’s main goal this year was to make AI actionable for advisors, with longer sessions and AI University built for hands-on learning.
- He said many advisors underestimate how far ahead the best AI builders already are, beyond basic use of ChatGPT or other LLMs.
- Bruckenstein cited Advisor 360, Jify, and Wall Street as newer platforms trying to become total solutions for advisors.
- He said Syntax’s AI agent Sadi represents what he sees as the next generation of portfolio construction.
- The T3 study showed cyber software usage and satisfaction down, which Bruckenstein called a dangerous sign for advisory firms.
- He said overall software satisfaction is rising because vendors are listening more closely to advisor demands.
Notable quotes
“we really dedicated this year to making everything we did about AI actionable”
“we wanted to scare people a little. We wanted to show them how far behind they are”
“there are people building agents that are very advanced that can do things for you”
“Next year we'll be at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas March 22nd through 25th”
How the episode opens
Now in its 22nd year, T3 continues to be the heartbeat of wealth tech in the wealth management space. And I'm joined by a man who needs little introduction, Joel Broenstein. Joel, thank you so much for joining me. — Always a pleasure.
Absolutely. So I look forward to these interviews every year with you because we obviously break down what's happening here at T3. So like I said, 22 years this conference has endured and there's clearly a reason for it.
You've created such a strong community when it comes to the wealth tech space. It's incredible that people show up, show out to just have the headsp space and time to think about the changes that are happening in our industry. So, what's standing out to you this year?
Obviously, we're in this era of all things AI, right?
But what what kind of shifts, what trends are you following? What are you seeing right now? Well, I think the biggest one is last year and at every conference I've been to this year, people are talking about AI, but not in a way that's really actionable for advisers.
And so, we really dedicated this year to making everything we did about AI actionable. We want people to come here, learn, touch it, feel it, understand how it can impact their business, and we want to give them things that they can take home and put into action right away. Well, one of my favorite parts this year was the brand new AI University that I actually had the pleasure of MCing one of one of the tracks and I loved loved actually seeing like you said these these solutions in action.
So there was audience engagement, folks up on stage like you said getting to touch it, see it, feel it and be immersed in it not just be talked out about the technology.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- ai adoption
- advisor tech trends
- wealthtech innovation
- t3 conference
- ai university
Watch the episode
Watch “Joel Bruckenstein on AI, Advisor Tech Trends and the Future of T3” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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