Scaling Empathy: How AI Enhances Advisor Communication Skills to Promote Financial Wellness

ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) can support financial advisors in developing the communication skills essential to client trust and financial wellness. This paper presents a conceptual framework—the AI‐MIFA (artificial intelligence–motivational interviewing for financial advisors) feedback tool—an AI‐powered training model designed to strengthen empathetic listening skills and guide future research on how AI can enhance advisor communication. As a proof of concept, AI‐MIFA delivers personalized, real‐time feedback on advisor–client conversations. Grounded in motivational interviewing (MI)—an evidence‐based communication method—AI‐MIFA analyzes meeting transcripts to evaluate core elements of empathy, including reflective statements and the mitigation of the “fixing” reflex. The paper outlines potential benefits such as scalable training and performance tracking while also addressing limitations, including the complexity of MI and the need for field‐specific validation. Together, these ideas position AI‐MIFA as a conceptual foundation for scaling empathy and communication skill development in financial advising—core components of financial wellness.