Rise of the machines — and the humans they'll learn from

Ways of working in insurance are changing, so the industry’s education and training are changing, too. (Photo: Panchenko Vladimir/Shutterstock)

There’s a tremendous amount of conversation in the insurance industry today about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science. When we think about these topics, we normally talk most about the changes affecting insurance products, consumer interactions, and the industry. Oddly, we talk a lot less about the implications for the professionals — the people who operate our businesses. As a “lifer” in the insurance business — 23 years in property & casualty preceded my current role as CEO of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) — I think about those people every day from the perspective of an organization that develops professionals for a key segment of the industry’s work.

What we see in the short- and long-term are major changes in the nature of the work we do, employee education and professional development along with corresponding changes needed in developing our talent.