MALG secures AI fluency funding

Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG), in partnership with WyserAI, has secured funding from the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to deliver a new project designed to build AI fluency, confidence and readiness amongst UK debt advisers and their clients.

The funding follows the successful completion of MALG and WyserAI’s previous MaPS-funded research project exploring safe and effective use of Generative AI in Regulated Debt Advice, which produced a sector-wide evidence report, AI roadmap and safe-use framework. The study found that many organisations felt unprepared to deploy AI safely, while advisers reported varying levels of understanding of the technology and its limitations. The research also highlighted the critical importance of professional judgement when using AI-generated outputs in regulated debt advice environments.

The newly funded project will take the next step by turning that research into practical training, tools and guidance that debt advisers, organisations and people in debt can use in real-world settings. Between October 2026 and March 2027, MALG and WyserAI will develop a course and resources that will be tested and input into by a cohort of advisers, compliance professionals and consumers.

Key outputs will include an AI fluency course for debt advisers, a plain-English client AI toolkit, and an organisational readiness pack featuring a self-assessment tool and model AI usage policy. All resources will be made available to the wider sector on the MALG website after the project concludes.

These outputs will address the significant readiness gaps identified by the previous project to help the sector and the people they support adopt AI for debt advice safely and effectively.

Peg Alexander, CEO of MALG, said “As AI becomes increasingly embedded in society, it is vital that the debt advice sector has the skills, safeguards and confidence needed to harness its benefits while protecting people from harm. In addition, we need to make sure that people in debt are also using AI safely and accurately.

“Our previous research gave the sector an evidence base and a clear understanding of what safe AI use should look like. This new funding allows us to move from theory to practice.

“WyserAI will work with our advice sector Members and other stakeholders to develop practical, tested tools that help debt advisers, organisations and clients navigate AI safely, confidently and effectively.”

Michelle Gregory, COO, WyserAI,  said “The original research we conducted on behalf of MALG revealed both the opportunities and the challenges Generative AI presents for debt advice. This new project is about equipping the sector with the knowledge, frameworks and practical resources needed to make informed decisions about AI.

“By working closely with debt advice organisations and their clients, we’ll ensure that everything we develop is grounded in real-world needs and supports safe, responsible innovation.”