Goldman Sachs bets on human advisors as AI reshapes wealth management

The four-week boot camp, which grew by 30% compared to last year, prioritizes soft skills over raw technical data. John Mallory, global co-head of Wealth Management, describes the evolution of the role from a traditional broker to a financial doctor. As $100 trillion shifts between generations, advisors must now navigate the competing interests of heirs and family decision-makers, a process that requires nuanced communication rather than just algorithmic precision.

New hires like Whitney Pigott, who transitioned from an executive role at Amazon, are being trained to tailor their approach to different client temperaments. The curriculum includes mock calls and rigorous roleplay to simulate the pressure of managing real-world assets. Although the firm provides AI tools like GS Assistant to help advisors master complex risk management strategies, the bank views these as support mechanisms. According to Mallory, the goal is not to replace the relationship but to ensure advisors have the verbal dexterity to tackle tougher questions posed by increasingly informed clients. Graduates then move into apprenticeships, spending 250 hours in their first year working alongside senior mentors to refine their ability to read between the lines of client interactions.