These are the stories and issues that readers gravitated to in the last year.

Artificial intelligence has been integrated in the back offices of many firms. In 2026, expect to see it make the leap to the front office.

Yes, AI is saving many advisors time and helping them reach prospects. But some say the rapid rate of adoption and automation could put them out of a job in the future.

In a move some industry observers call "dangerous and irresponsible," the administration is taking down consumer protection guardrails that have been put up by states like California and Colorado.

For the first time in an annual compliance report, FINRA devotes a section to AI risks, including from third-party vendors and scammers.

Artificial intelligence isn't an algorithmic takeover but an essential wealth management tool.

UBS chief data and analytics officer Joe Cordeira says AI won't replace advisors. But it can help them by providing little nudges to do everything from rebalancing a portfolio to wishing a client happy birthday.

The hidden costs of free AI tools go beyond simple feature upgrades. Non-enterprise versions of AI tools often lack advanced data protection features.

The integration eliminates the need for a third-party intermediary between the two platforms, allowing for a direct connection between financial planning and tax, estate and insurance data.

Scary good voice cloning technology means advisors can no longer believe what — or more accurately, who — they're hearing on the phone. Rigorous verification protocols are the new key to gaining client trust.

Getting it right can help prospects find your firm's website, according to FMG Suite's Samantha Russell at ADVISE AI.

Time savings is generally understood to be among the main advantages of AI note-takers. But advisors who have incorporated them into their practices said the benefits go much deeper.

New tools go beyond simple automation. They're helping advisors deliver more meaningful value in client meetings.

Bad things can happen when advisory firm employees experiment with shiny new AI applications. An innocent "test drive" could trigger data breaches and compliance snafus.

Merrill wealth co-head Eric Schimpf says the firm does about as good a job as its rivals in drawing in net new assets. But given Merrill's relationship with Bank of America, "We can do better."

AI note-takers have become increasingly common among advisors. So has the use of wearable AI recording devices among the general population. What happens when the tables are turned?

Firms of all sizes have had to think through the compliance concerns and rank AI tasks in order of difficulty, ADVISE AI panelists said.

Panelists at the ADVISE AI conference said document processing has never been more efficient with the help of AI tools. But that doesn't mean there aren't challenges along the way.

A Financial Planning survey of 250 advisors reveals the top AI features they're still waiting for — from workflow automation to compliance support.

AI is being used not only to locate prospects, but also to help advisors show their value on the way to signing a new client.