The Real Future of Insurance in an AI World

In February 2011, a seismic shift began with an unlikely event: a game of Jeopardy!

IBM’s Watson AI went head-to-head with the two most successful contestants in the show’s history—and crushed them. It wasn’t just a party trick. It was a wake-up call.

AI had arrived. Fast forward to now, and we’re seeing that early momentum becoming a fast reality. Technology isn’t just advancing. It’s doubling, tripling, and growing at exponential speed. And it’s impacting everything, including industries like insurance that once believed they were too complex, too entrenched, and too big to be disrupted.

But disruption isn’t just coming. It’s here.

The Fall of “Too Complicated”

For years, the belief in insurance was that AI could never compete with the depth of experience, policy knowledge, or complexity of risk management. Jerry used to say publicly that this was a myth—and when he did, let’s just say the audience didn’t exactly love it. There were a lot of “stink eyes.”

Why? Because it’s threatening.

Insurance producers, underwriters, and brokers have historically derived their value from three things:

1. Data

2. Information

3. Knowledge

And each of those—one by one—has been commoditized.

Search engines made data and information free. Now AI is making knowledge accessible, scalable, and instant. The value that producers used to bring to the table is rapidly being matched (or outperformed) by machines.

The 90-day process of quoting and binding a policy? AI will take it down to 90 minutes. Eventually, maybe even 90 seconds.

The Insurance Industry’s Double Whammy

That’s just the start. As robotics and autonomous technologies replace human labor in hazardous roles, two of the largest sources of insurance premium revenue—workers comp and auto—are likely to plummet.

• Robots don’t get hurt. That means fewer claims and less need for workers comp.

• Self-driving cars crash less often. That means lower auto premiums, especially in fleets.

Jerry predicts up to 50% of today’s available premium could disappear in the next 5 to 10 years. That’s not fear-mongering—it’s simple math.

The Competitive Advantage That AI Can’t Replicate

So where does that leave us?

With the one thing AI still can’t do: human connection.

In a world where AI handles data, knowledge, and decisions at lightning speed, the differentiator won’t be who knows the most—but who connects the deepest.

Humans are meaning-seeking, emotional creatures. The producers, advisors, and business owners who double down on authentic connection—those who lead with empathy, curiosity, and care—will become more valuable than ever. They’ll use AI to supercharge their insight, but they’ll be the ones delivering the real solution: a personal, trusted recommendation.

The Generational Shift

Kelley, who worked for Peter Diamandis, saw this future a decade ago. To her, exponential change made perfect sense.

But for many seasoned professionals, it was hard to believe. It seemed far off—something for the Jetsons.

Now, we’re all living it.

There’s a generational challenge unfolding. Younger producers who grew up with tech may have the advantage in leveraging tools—but did they get enough reps in the art of human connection? On the flip side, more experienced producers may be stronger connectors but slower to adapt to AI.

The opportunity lies in bridging both.

It’s Not the End—It’s a New Beginning

This shift doesn’t spell doom for insurance professionals. It’s a massive opportunity—for the 20% who are willing to evolve.

If you’re in the transaction game, focused solely on pushing policies or flexing your product knowledge, the writing’s on the wall. AI is going to eat your lunch.

But if you commit to connection, lean into technology, and lead with intention, the next era of insurance isn’t something to fear.

It’s something to build.

Let us know what stands out to you in this moment of change. Because it’s not just about how technology evolves — it’s about how we choose to show up, connect, and create value in a world moving faster than ever.

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