People have an emotional attachment to their money. While robo-advisers offer compelling advantages, they can never truly compete on an emotional level. That's not to say robo-advisers won't change the way advice is delivered, or the cost of that advice...we're already seeing it happen. But investors will always respond to human interaction better than they will to an automated email.

Traditional advisers will adapt to the new technology, just like they did with online trading. I see the robo-adviser revolution as an opportunity, not just for investors, but for traditional advisers as well. Maybe the new model is a hybrid, where small independent advisers can partner with robo-adviser platforms instead of those costly alternatives. The money and time savings can be redirected toward acquiring even more clients and strengthening existing relationships.