Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

AI in Financial Services: Focus Shifts to Practical Value, Says Tucker

James Tucker, CEO of Twenty7tec, has emphasised the importance of focusing on the practical value that artificial intelligence (AI) can deliver in financial services, rather than simply discussing its potential. Over the past 18 months, AI has become a major topic across the sector, with new products and features being launched at a rapid pace.

Tucker notes that while there is significant excitement about AI's future possibilities, advice firms are increasingly interested in how the technology can provide immediate, measurable benefits today. He points out that most technology providers will soon claim some form of AI capability, but the key question is how these technologies are being applied and whether they are delivering real results.

In regulated markets, Tucker highlights the importance of understanding adviser workflows, lender behaviour, compliance requirements, and the daily challenges faced by firms. He uses the mortgage market as an example, where frequent product withdrawals, pricing changes, and criteria amendments have made it difficult for advisers to keep up manually. AI and automation, he says, can help address these challenges by improving efficiency and responsiveness.

Tucker describes how, within Twenty7tec, AI is being used to help development teams work more efficiently, analyse large datasets, and respond quickly to market changes. This has led to better products, faster development cycles, and practical improvements for advisers.

He also references the recent launch of Twenty7tec’s ADAPT system, which tracks recommended products and alerts users when changes could affect a case. The aim is to reduce unnecessary rework and help advisers respond more quickly to changing circumstances.

Tucker remains sceptical of claims that AI-native businesses will quickly replace established advice technology providers. Instead, he observes that firms are working with trusted partners to introduce AI into specific parts of the advice process where it can solve real problems and deliver clear outcomes.

He also notes that as consumers gain access to more AI-powered tools for researching financial topics, the value of professional advice may actually increase. While information is becoming more accessible, judgement, experience, and context remain difficult to replicate.

Tucker concludes that AI will play a growing role in financial services, but the most successful solutions will be those that support knowledgeable advisers rather than attempt to replace them. The organisations that benefit most from AI will be those applying it thoughtfully to real business challenges and delivering tangible outcomes for advisers and clients.