Advisors Adopt AI Fast, but Still Aren’t Getting Their Time Back, Says 2026 Morningstar Investor Perspectives Advisor Study
Business Wire•05/10/2026•07:30 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤AI nonuse fell to 20% in 2026 from 33% in 2025
- ➤48% of advisors reported AI moderately or significantly improved efficiency
- ➤56% cited administrative work as a top service-delivery barrier
- ➤Private-investment adoption reached 40%, up from 35% in 2025
- ➤Only 25% highly satisfied with private-market manager transparency, down from 38%
Expert Statements
Joe Agostinelli, Senior director of market research at Morningstar
“AI is helping advisors run faster, but the treadmill is speeding up too”
Joe Agostinelli, Senior director of market research at Morningstar
“More documentation, faster service expectations, and more client questions mean AI is absorbing complexity rather than simply freeing up time.”
Joe Agostinelli, Senior director of market research at Morningstar
“Across this year’s Morningstar Investor Perspectives research, we keep seeing the same tension: investors have more information and more options, but not necessarily more confidence.”
Joe Agostinelli, Senior director of market research at Morningstar
“Advisors are increasingly the people who sort signal from noise and help clients keep moving toward their goals.”
Advisors Adopt AI Fast, but Still Aren’t Getting Their Time Back, Says 2026 Morningstar Investor Perspectives Advisor Study
Administrative demands, harder-to-explain investments, and growing client expectations continue to compete for advisors’ time despite rapid AI adoption.
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