There’s a very real temptation right now to think about AI and the human spirit as in competition, but the founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, George Kinder, is not thinking dualistically about this.
While he views AI with a healthy caution, he believes that through the effective utilization of AI, it will enable financial advisors to navigate the computational aspects of money management better than ever—while also creating additional space and time to do the even more impactful work with clients that will always require the capacity for true empathy. True humanity.
This was an especially fun conversation, because George and I will both be presenting keynotes at the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) conference in Atlanta October 14-17.
✏️ Compelling Quotes:
“I read articles about AI every day because I’m so thrilled with what’s going on. At the same time, terrified.”
“The structures are wonderful, they’re fabulous, but they only go so far. The actual delivery is human to human.”
“We’ve had twenty-five hundred years of great thinking. I think the next twenty-five hundred years are gonna be great listening.”
“We don’t think freedom. We experience freedom.”
✏️ What We Cover:
George’s newest venture: a UK Innovator Founder visa to bring life planning and fiduciary principles into whole companies
Why George is both thrilled and terrified by AI, and why he says to “dive in and use it” anyway
The underrated thing AI does best: discerning the truth from a mountain of data
What it can’t do: notice the tear, the glance away, the couple turning from each other
The “methodologies of the human side”: why listening is a skill to be practiced, not just a trait you have
Two practical steps before your next client meeting: five minutes of mindfulness, and dropping every goal but one
Lighting the torch: why a client’s dream of freedom should feel equal parts exciting and anxiety-provoking
AI note-takers: what they capture, what they miss, and why George still keeps a pen on the table
