The survey garnered responses from 431 insurance executives spanning Australia, Europe, the UK, the US, and Canada. It reveals a dramatic escalation in the anticipated role of AI. "Insurers reported that they expected the impact of AI to nearly double from the last year to the current year, and then more than triple in the year ahead," noted Earnix. The survey indicates a staggering near six-fold increase in industry leaders' belief in AI's business impact over a three-year period.
Currently, less than a third of these insurance firms actively utilize AI models capable of real-time predictive analysis. Most companies rely on analytics primarily for validation rather than for making optimal decisions, which underscores a gap in leveraging technology fully. Earnix finds that many insurers continue to depend on outdated systems, potentially hindering their ability to keep pace with evolving technologies.
Another key insight from the Earnix survey is that nearly 50% of insurers acknowledge being behind on their modernization goals. This lag could prove challenging in adopting breakthrough technologies, especially those linked to AI, advanced analytics, pricing, and underwriting frameworks.
Despite these hurdles, there is a marked intent across the industry to invest more heavily in AI-driven innovations. Many respondents have highlighted increased spending on regulatory compliance tools compared to the previous year. In particular, 68% of insurers in Europe and Australia reported heightened investments in this area. "Insurers in Europe and Australia may have a slight head start when it comes to implementing new technology to help with compliance," the Earnix report stated.
Looking forward, the industry acknowledges being at least two years away from realizing their full AI and analytics potential. However, this sets a clear trajectory for insurers to follow as they navigate the complexities of modern technology adaptation.
This article is based on findings from Earnix as detailed in a recent report.
