IA Financial introduces virtual assistant service

Quebec City-based Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (IA) announced  the launch of a virtual assistant on Thursday that allows clients to connect with the firm in writing or verbally.

Using Google Assistant, clients can say “OK, Google. Talk to IA Financial Group,” and talk or text with an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant that provides financial planning tips and can connect them to the company, IA says in a news release.

For example, the virtual assistant can calculate how much investors should contribute to their RRSPs or estimate the amount they’ll have saved at retirement age, IA says. The virtual assistant  also canfind nearby health-care providers that are covered under IA’s insurance plans.

“Thanks to our artificial intelligence-powered platform, the IA Virtual Assistant learns quickly. Our vision is to make the IA Virtual Assistant able to provide personalized information to group plan members that is adapted to their profile. The virtual assistant will be able to guide plan members in evaluating the options available at the various stages of their lives. It could even help them change certain unhealthy lifestyles by encouraging them to act now,” says Martin Bélanger, senior vice president, group benefits, group savings and retirement, and special markets solutions,  in a statement.

“When there’s an important event, like a new child, the IA Virtual Assistant reminds new parents of the importance of reviewing their insurance coverage,” added Renée Laflamme, executive vice president, individual insurance, savings and retirement,  in a statement. “It can also show the advantages of contributing to a registered education savings plan to pay for their child’s education, and even suggest the professional services of a financial advisor, when needed.”

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.