"It was terribly important to us that we were participating and supporting a partnership with a firm that is innovating and has strong backing," said Richard Steinmeier, head of the Wealth Advice Center at UBS.

The year-old automated advice service is revealing some new ways advisers use robos — and it's quelling some big fears.

"If you're a financial services company and you're not thinking of yourself as a financial tech company, then you're probably in a declining business model," says Rob Foregger, co-founder of NextCapital.

Blockbuster industry deals and unforeseen shifts in client attitudes are altering future forecasts for digital advice.

Combine data from your practice with a personal touch to claim that young client who everyone fears is going to leave for a digital adviser.

Despite much innovation, needs of new planners still aren't being met.

Goal-planning and security are two areas where wealth management firms need to innovate most, say Corporate Insight researchers.

Wealth management "is the least tech literate of all financial services," says Michael Spellacy of PwC.

It's expected that digital platforms will help advisors focus their offerings to serve specific client segments.

Customers will have two investment options: an ETF-only portfolio and one that includes actively managed mutual funds, along with index funds.