Ask the Bot? How Technology Is Changing the Way We Learn
Technology is transforming how we think, spend and learn about money – and younger generations are leading the way.
From budgeting apps to chatbots that explain investing, more people are turning to AI for financial guidance. What once felt intimidating is now at our fingertips. But as artificial intelligence reshapes how we manage money, it’s worth asking: is it helping us feel more confident, or just adding to the noise?
Here’s how AI is changing the way people learn about money – and how to use it safely and confidently.
How AI is changing financial habits
Aqua’s Financial Learnings and Mistakes 2025 report found that nearly two-thirds of young Brits now use AI tools for financial guidance.
Here’s what stands out:
Among 25–34-year-olds, 67% turn to platforms like ChatGPT for advice – compared with just 10% of those aged 55 and over.
Millennials, who grew up alongside online banking, are most comfortable blending tech and money management.
80% of millennial eToro users are open to – or already using – AI to help manage investments.
Digital tools may also be helping boost confidence. Despite economic uncertainty, 46% of UK adults say they feel more confident about their finances than last year. The most common emotions? “Stable”, “content”, and “happy.”
But AI has its limits
AI can be brilliant for sorting information and explaining complex topics in plain English. What it can’t do is see your full picture – your goals, responsibilities, or emotions around money.
It can’t tell you why saving feels harder this year or how to prioritise between bills and long-term goals. That’s where human judgement still matters most.
The confidence gap and the new kind of advice
Not everyone feels at ease. Around 10% of UK adults say they feel anxious about money, and 9% feel stressed – both slightly higher than last year.
Younger generations are turning to where they feel heard:
Among 21–24-year-olds, 22% get money advice from TikTok;
15% turn to banks;
Only 7% speak to professional advisers.
This shift brings opportunity and risk – more access to information, but also more misinformation. Transparency matters.
A CRIF 2025 study found that while 74% of people expect to manage all their finances online by 2030, one in five say they’ll choose providers based on ethics, values and transparency – not just convenience.
Still, AI tools don’t always get it right. Investing Insiders (2025) found that:
AI gets financial answers right only 56% of the time;
27% of responses were misleading;
17% were incorrect – often around ISA limits, pension rules, or country-specific tax details.
Why younger generations are embracing AI
AI fits naturally into how we already live – filtering choices, tracking spending and simplifying decisions.
Researchers at The University of Virginia call this “augmented decision-making”: AI takes on admin and analysis, helping people feel calmer and more in control.
For millennials juggling careers, families and rising costs, that’s powerful. Gen Z is even more comfortable blending money and tech – 40% of students in one international study said they’d trust AI to manage investments (Yugo, 2025).
But trust is fragile. Confidence fades when AI seems to serve companies rather than customers. That’s why it’s safest to use AI that’s built within regulated platforms – such as banks, budgeting apps, or FCA-regulated robo-advisers – rather than general-purpose tools.
Safe ways to use AI for your finances
When it comes to money, keep AI inside trusted environments.
Here’s how to stay secure:
Use in-app tools like Monzo, Starling or Revolut to track spending – they’re regulated and built for this purpose.
Budgeting apps like Emma or Snoop use Open Banking (not data scraping), so they’re generally safer.
If you’re investing, look for FCA-regulated robo-advisers such as Moneyfarm, Wealthify or InvestEngine.
These tools let you harness AI safely – without putting personal data at risk.
How to build confidence with AI (without losing control)
AI can simplify money management – but it should never replace human judgement.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
Stay curious, not passive. Use AI to learn, not to decide. Always double-check before acting.
Choose tools that reflect your values and explain how they use your data.
Blend digital with human advice. Talk to an adviser, coach or friend before big decisions.
Keep learning through podcasts, newsletters and trusted sources that make money topics feel approachable.
Notice how you feel. Financial confidence comes as much from emotion as information.
How people are safely using ChatGPT for money learning
Getting organised: List your bills and income. ChatGPT can group them into fixed and variable costs to help you spot patterns – without sharing bank statements.
Understanding your pension: Share only the names of your funds. ChatGPT can explain what each invests in, its markets and typical risks – but never tell you to switch.
Clarifying your goals: ChatGPT can ask reflective prompts to help you organise your thinking about saving and risk.
Used safely, it’s a tool for understanding – not action.
The future of money confidence
AI isn’t replacing financial literacy – it’s reshaping how we learn. Used wisely, it can make money feel clearer and less overwhelming.
Financial confidence still comes from human context and clarity. AI can help by handling admin and analysis, but not by making the final call.
So… should you trust AI with your finances?
AI can be a great assistant – like a helpful, sometimes overconfident friend. But it’s not regulated, and it doesn’t know your full story.
So use it to learn, compare and clarify. Then, when it’s time to make real decisions about savings, investments or pensions, check in with a qualified expert.
Think of AI as the first step in the conversation, not the last word.
