Toy Story 5: When Technology Takes Centre Stage

Pixar has always had a remarkable ability to tell stories that resonate with both children and adults, and Toy Story 5 looks set to continue that tradition. This time, the focus shifts to a challenge many families will recognise. Instead of competing with other toys for Bonnie's attention, Woody, Buzz and the gang find themselves competing with technology.

It's a storyline that feels particularly relevant in 2026.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live and work at an astonishing pace. We ask our phones for directions, our smart speakers for recipes and increasingly turn to AI to answer complex questions about everything from finance to legal matters. Technology has become an everyday part of life, and in many ways that's something to celebrate.

The difficulty comes when we begin to mistake convenience for expertise.

One of the themes running through Toy Story 5 is the value of genuine connection. While technology offers entertainment and instant answers, it can't replace the relationships that help us navigate life's biggest moments. The same is true when it comes to estate planning.

Over the past year, I've spoken to many people who have experimented with AI to ask questions about Wills, inheritance tax or Lasting Powers of Attorney. In many cases, the information they receive is surprisingly good. In others, it's incomplete, outdated or simply wrong. The challenge is that unless you already know the answer, it's very difficult to tell the difference.

Estate planning isn't about finding the quickest answer. It's about finding the right answer for your circumstances.

Should your children inherit at a particular age? Is a trust appropriate? Would your business qualify for relief? What happens if a beneficiary is vulnerable or receives means-tested benefits? Could a second marriage affect how your estate is distributed?

These aren't questions that can be answered by choosing the most likely response from a database. They require discussion, context and, perhaps most importantly, someone who knows which questions to ask in the first place.

After more than 38 years advising individuals, families and business owners, I've learnt that the best conversations are rarely about legal documents. They're about people. Every family is different, every relationship is different and every set of priorities is different. Good estate planning reflects those differences.

That's not to say technology doesn't have a place. At SLS Wills and More, we embrace new technology where it genuinely benefits our clients. It helps us carry out research more efficiently, improve our processes and communicate more effectively. Used responsibly, AI is an excellent tool.

But it remains exactly that: a tool.

No matter how advanced technology becomes, it can't replace empathy. It can't understand family dynamics. It can't read between the lines when someone says, "It's a bit complicated." It can't recognise the hesitation in a client's voice when discussing a difficult relationship or appreciate the significance of a lifetime spent building a family business.

Those are the moments that matter.

Perhaps that's the real message behind Toy Story 5. Technology will continue to evolve, and we should embrace the opportunities it brings. But some things will always depend on human judgement, experience and trust.

Whether it's a child's favourite toy or trusted professional advice, there are some relationships that technology simply can't replace.