PIMFA WealthTech and Morningstar Launch AI Tech Sprint Inviting Fintechs to Showcase Wealth Solutions

WHY THIS MATTERS:

AI in wealth management has moved beyond experimentation, but many firms still struggle to translate pilot projects into measurable return on investment. As regulatory expectations tighten and client demands for personalisation increase, wealth and advice firms are under pressure to deploy AI in ways that enhance productivity, improve compliance oversight, and elevate client outcomes — not simply automate isolated tasks. By focusing on real-world business impact across portfolio management, adviser support, compliance and operational efficiency, this AI Tech Sprint directly addresses the industry’s most pressing challenge: turning AI ambition into sustainable, regulated, value-generating implementation.

PIMFA WealthTech, the market network and technology platform for fintech firms in the wealth, advice and planning sector, and Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment insights, have launched a new AI Tech Sprint inviting fintech providers to apply to showcase their AI-driven solutions. The selected winner will present their technology to an audience of industry peers and decision-makers at the Morningstar Investment Conference UK on 7th May 2026.

Participants will demonstrate how their tech solution leverages AI to create measurable business impact and improve problem solving. On 22nd April 2026, selected fintechs will present their solutions to an expert judging panel, comprised of senior industry representatives from the PIMFA WealthTech Advisory Group. 

The AI Tech Sprint will examine: “AI in wealth and advice – from experimentation to ROI: how can firms turn their application of AI into measurable business impact?”. This will concentrate on two key areas. 

Firstly, the successful embedding of AI implementations. Fintechs will be asked to present solutions that deliver measurable enhancements in productivity within wealth management and the broader financial services sector. This includes demonstrating:

• Client centric AI: Elevate client experience and personalisation through AI driven insights and interactions.
• Portfolio performance and risk management: Optimising portfolio and risk management.
• Adviser empowerment: Augment client and financial adviser support to reduce administrative tasks, allowing more time for strategic advice.
• Operational efficiency: Automate and enhance compliance processes to improve back and middle office efficiency.

Secondly, fintechs will explore pushing boundaries with AI. Examples involve: 

• Next-generation innovations that push beyond basic automation, highlighting the future potential of AI in wealth management and advice.
• Advice quality: AI checks reports, sources, cashflows, and documents for policy compliance, Gold Standards, PROD, and Consumer Duty to quickly identify inconsistencies and risks.
• Competence testing and T&C enhancement: AI runs scenario-based and data-driven assessments using file records and meeting notes to score responses against technical accuracy and rationale quality. This supports fair, scalable, evidence-based T&C oversight.

Prachi Kodlikeri, Chair, PIMFA WealthTech Advisory Group and Chief Technology Officer, LGT Wealth, said: 

“PIMFA WealthTech was founded with a clear purpose: to champion pioneering technological thinking and to unlock new opportunities that can genuinely advance the wealth management and advice sector. As Chair of the Advisory Group, I can think of no greater embodiment of that vision than the AI‑driven Tech Sprint we are proud to launch today.” 

This sprint invites fintechs to imagine what’s possible – to explore powerful AI use cases and develop visionary solutions that could meaningfully elevate the way our industry serves clients. I am excited to see the creativity and ingenuity this challenge will inspire, and I look forward to sharing the insights and breakthroughs that emerge with the wider community.”

Anastasia Georgiou, Director of Market Expansion, Morningstar commented:

“Innovation flourishes when bold ideas meet real-world application. The AI Tech Sprint will showcase AI solutions that are not only imaginative, but can deliver measurable impact across client experience, adviser support, risk management and operational efficiency. We’re excited to showcase the winning entry at the Morningstar Investment Conference UK, bringing the next generation of AI-driven tools to advisers, to strengthen the long-term success of the industry.”

FF NEWS TAKE:
This initiative signals a shift in the AI conversation within wealth management — from “what’s possible” to “what delivers ROI.” The emphasis on measurable productivity gains, compliance alignment and adviser empowerment reflects where the market is heading.

The most compelling AI applications in wealth won’t replace advisers; they will augment them — reducing administrative drag, improving risk controls and enhancing advice quality under frameworks like Consumer Duty. Tools that can evidence improvements in oversight, T&C supervision and policy compliance will resonate strongly with decision-makers.

By giving fintech innovators a platform at the Morningstar Investment Conference UK, PIMFA WealthTech and Morningstar are helping to bridge the gap between experimentation and institutional adoption. The real winners will be solutions that combine regulatory rigour with operational scalability — proving that AI in wealth can be both transformative and accountable.