Once upon a modern Tuesday morning, Mark, an accomplished 47-year-old executive, received the news that he had landed a long-awaited promotion. With it came a hefty raise, a generous stock option package, and the pressure of getting things right.
That evening, over celebratory takeout and sparkling water, Mark and his wife, Jenna, sat on their patio weighing their next move.
“We should probably talk to a financial planner,” Jenna suggested.
Mark, ever the optimist and efficiency buff, tapped his phone and replied, “Or maybe I’ll just ask ChatGPT.”
He wasn’t entirely joking. After all, the AI assistant had been surprisingly helpful answering questions about vacation planning, spreadsheet formulas, and whether or not to aerate their lawn. Why not ask it about restrictive stock units (RSUs) and tax-loss harvesting?
Jenna raised an eyebrow. “You think it knows what matters to us?”
Mark paused. “Well... maybe not yet. But it learns.”
Jenna took a sip. “Let’s just make sure we’re not learning the hard way.”
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more accessible and impressively articulate, it’s understandable that people wonder whether it can replace professional advice.
And to be fair, AI tools for financial planning can be useful. They excel at answering straightforward, factual questions and offering general guidance on financial topics.
But what happens when your life doesn’t fit neatly into a pre-set prompt?
That’s where the human element becomes essential.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main differences between using AI in financial planning and working with a Certified Financial Planner® professional.
| Topic | ChatGPT / AI Tools | Certified Financial Planner® Professional |
| Type of Help | Reactive responses to specific questions | Proactive planning based on your goals, values, and priorities |
| Personalization | Generalized advice for hypothetical situations | Tailored strategies for your actual life and evolving needs |
| Behavioral Insight | No emotional or relational awareness | Identifies psychological barriers to action (fear, overconfidence, avoidance) |
| Spousal Dynamics | Responds only to the question asked | Navigates the emotional and relational aspects between spouses |
| Scope of Awareness | Limited to what you ask or input | Helps you uncover what you don’t know to ask, and what could blindside you |
| Ongoing Monitoring | Static answers with no follow-up | Continuously tracks your progress, adjusts strategies, and updates recommendations |
| Accountability | You’re on your own | You have a partner to nudge, encourage, and advise along the way |
| Risk of Hallucination | Sometimes makes stuff up (no joke) | Serves in a fiduciary capacity, bound by duty to give accurate, client-first advice |
Financial planning is rarely just about numbers. It’s about behavior, timing, family, health, opportunity, values, legacy, and emotion.
And no matter how advanced AI becomes, it doesn’t understand that your son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. It won’t ask if you’re planning to retire early to care for aging parents. It can’t help mediate between two different visions of retirement.
That’s why financial planners don’t hallucinate — they listen. They observe. They ask the questions you didn’t realize mattered. And when life changes, they adapt alongside you.
No. While AI tools can answer factual questions and offer general guidance, they lack personalization, emotional insight, and fiduciary duty. A financial advisor develops strategies tailored to your unique life, values, and long-term goals.
AI tools may produce incorrect information (“hallucinations”) and do not consider emotional, relational, or behavioral factors that influence financial decisions.
A Certified Financial Planner® professional is trained to deliver personalized strategies, ongoing oversight, accountability, and serve in a fiduciary capacity designed around your changing needs.
AI is a powerful tool that can play a significant role in your financial journey. But while it can provide quick answers, it can’t anticipate your changing goals, navigate family dynamics, or help you prioritize when everything feels important at once.
Life’s biggest financial decisions — whether a promotion, an inheritance, the sale of a business, or planning for retirement — deserve more than algorithms. They deserve insight, perspective, and guidance from someone who knows you, not just your data.
Your financial journey deserves more than quick answers. Talk to someone who listens, understands, and plans with you. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.
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Shane Tenny, CFP®, is the Managing Partner of Spaugh Dameron Tenny and a nationally recognized financial advisor. Since 2000, he has combined extensive financial knowledge with a passion for behavioral finance—helping clients make informed decisions based on both data and mindset. Shane often contributes to industry publications, appears as a guest on podcasts, and has been a leader in the financial planning field for years. He is known for making complex topics clear and practical for busy, high-income professionals seeking personalized advice they can trust.
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