Orion Survey Reveals AI and Integration as Top Advisor Priorities for 2026
Event summary
- Orion's 2026 Advisor Wealthtech Survey, released at the Ascent Conference, highlights AI and data integration as key priorities for advisors.
- 90% of advisors report leveraging their strengths to improve client outcomes, with 87% finding purpose in their work.
- Advisors expect to increase tech budgets by 19% on average in 2026, with 67% aiming to streamline operations.
- Orion clients reported a 39% higher organic asset growth rate in 2025 compared to non-Orion clients.
The big picture
Orion's survey underscores the industry's shift towards AI-driven workflows and integrated data systems, reflecting broader trends in wealth management towards efficiency and client-centric outcomes. The 39% higher growth rate among Orion clients highlights the competitive advantage of unified tech stacks. As advisors prioritize tech investments, the ability to balance automation with human judgment will be critical for sustaining trust and client relationships.
What we're watching
- AI Adoption
- How advisors will overcome obstacles like accuracy concerns and compliance uncertainty to expand AI use.
- Tech Integration
- The pace at which advisors achieve full data unification across systems, currently only 3% report fully unified data.
- Alternative Investments
- Whether the increasing use of alternatives, especially among high-net-worth clients, will drive further growth in 2026.
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