The AI Revolution: Reskilling for the Future of Insurance

Hey there,

The conversation around AI in insurance has officially moved from buzzword to boardroom—and now it's happening in breakrooms and one-on-ones across the industry. If you're not already adapting to this shift, you're at serious risk of being left behind.

But here's the thing: AI isn't eliminating insurance jobs overnight. It's changing how those jobs get done, and more importantly, what skills will make you absolutely invaluable in the next 2-3 years.

Let's talk about how to not just survive this transformation, but dominate it.

📊 The Reality Check: AI Is Already Here

We're seeing AI impact everything from claims triage to fraud detection to risk modeling. According to Deloitte's 2024 report, over 65% of insurers are already using AI in at least one core business process, and more than 40% plan to expand AI use in underwriting and customer service by 2026. Out of the last year and a half of guests on Profiles in Risk, maybe 70% are AI companies. It’s hard to guess who is going to get it right, but a few of them will!

What this means for you: Roles aren't disappearing—they're evolving. AI is going to give you superpowers, but you have to know how to leverage them. The question isn't whether AI will change your job. It's whether you'll be the one driving that change or scrambling to catch up.

The opportunity: Companies desperately need people who can bridge the gap between traditional insurance knowledge and AI capabilities. That bridge person could be you—but only if you start building those skills now.

🎯 The 10 AI-Forward Skills That Will Future-Proof Your Insurance Career

After working with dozens of companies implementing AI strategies, here are the tactical skills that will make you indispensable:

1. Data Interpretation
You don't need to build models, but you absolutely need to understand dashboards, outputs, and what they mean for business decisions. Can you spot when a model is producing questionable results? That's invaluable.

2. Prompt Engineering
Writing effective AI prompts is quickly becoming a micro-skill that separates the pros from the amateurs. Learn how to get better results from ChatGPT, Claude, or your company's AI tools.

3. AI Ethics & Governance
Know the basics of responsible AI use, especially around bias, fairness, and compliance. Regulators are paying attention, and companies need people who understand the guardrails.

4. Risk Model Fluency
Even if you're not an actuary, understanding how AI-powered risk models work gives you a huge advantage in discussions about pricing, underwriting, and portfolio management.

5. Digital Claims Workflow Familiarity
Learn how AI automates First Notice of Loss (FNOL), fraud detection, and damage assessment. The future of claims is heavily automated—be part of designing that future. However, make no mistake, the handling of insured and the claimant will always be an intensely human skil. AI will free adjusters from the tedium and allow them to be more human and build better quality connections with the humans that have suffered a claim.

6. Conversational AI & Customer Experience
Understand how chatbots and virtual assistants integrate into customer journeys. This knowledge is gold for anyone in customer service, sales, or product development.

7. Change Management
Here's a secret: AI transformations often fail because of people, not technology. Learn how to be an internal champion who helps teams adapt to new tools and processes. Expert tip: Follow Ema Roloff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emaroloff/

8. Data Privacy & Security Literacy
With AI comes increased scrutiny on how customer data is used, stored, and protected. Privacy knowledge is becoming a requirement, not a nice-to-have.

9. Low-Code/No-Code Tools
Being able to prototype solutions in platforms like Microsoft Power Platform, Airtable, or Zapier makes you incredibly valuable for process improvement initiatives. Many insurtechs are building low-code/no-code tools specially for insurance.

10. Storytelling with Data
Can you explain AI results to non-technical stakeholders? Can you translate model outputs into business recommendations? This is your value multiplier—master it. For actuaries and data analysts specially, becoming an amazing communicator who can translate data for the masses is a huge value add.

🛠️ Real Talk: Tactical Advice If You're Feeling Behind

Start Small, Start Now:

• Pick ONE skill from the list above and build it into your weekly learning routine

• Use platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, or your employer's learning management system

• Dedicate 30 minutes per week—consistency beats intensity

Have the Conversation:

• Talk to your manager about how AI is being deployed in your department

• Ask what skills they expect to need more of by 2026

• Position yourself as someone who is excited by the changes wants to be part of the solution

Get Hands-On Experience:

• Volunteer for internal AI pilot programs or transformation projects

• Offer to help document processes, gather user feedback, or manage change communications

• Even if you're not building the AI, you can be part of implementing it

If your company isn't talking about AI yet—that's actually your golden opportunity to lead the conversation. You can start by listening to Profiles in Risk; many episodes are interviews with AI founders.

🏆 Companies Leading the AI Reskilling Charge

Smart insurers aren't just implementing AI—they're investing in their people's ability to work with it. McKinsey research shows that companies investing in comprehensive reskilling see up to 30% faster adoption of digital tools and significantly lower internal resistance to change.

Look for organizations that:

• Have published digital transformation roadmaps

• Offer internal AI/data bootcamps or learning tracks

• Provide dedicated time and budget for employee education

• Celebrate cross-functional skill development and career pivots

• Partner with universities or online learning platforms

Red flags to avoid:

• Companies that say "AI will handle that" without explaining how

• Organizations with no clear digital strategy

• Managers who dismiss the need for AI literacy

• Cultures that punish experimentation or learning from failure

📈 What I'm Seeing in the Talent Market

Hot AI-Adjacent Roles:

• Business Analysts who can translate between technical teams and business users

• Product Managers with AI/ML experience

• Customer Experience professionals who understand conversational AI

• Operations specialists focused on process automation

• Risk professionals who can work with algorithmic decision-making

Salary Impact:

• Professionals with AI skills are commanding 15-25% premiums

• Cross-functional roles (AI + insurance domain expertise) are seeing the biggest bumps

• Companies are creating entirely new positions like "AI Implementation Manager" and "Digital Transformation Specialist"

Geographic Trends:

• Remote work has democratized access to AI-focused roles

• But certain markets (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte) are becoming AI insurance hubs

• International talent is increasingly competitive, especially in technical roles

🎪 The Magic of Leading Change

As someone who's spent years practicing the art of illusion, I can tell you that what looks like "magic" is really the product of deliberate practice, perfect timing, and understanding your audience. The same principles apply to AI transformation.

The professionals who will thrive aren't necessarily the most technical—they're the ones who can make AI feel less mysterious and more useful to their colleagues. They're the translators, the bridges, the people who help others see possibility instead of threat.

Don't wait for the future of work to arrive. Shape it.

📋 Your AI Readiness Action Plan

This Week:

• Take an honest assessment: Which of the 10 skills do you already have? Which do you need most?

• Sign up for one AI-related course or webinar

• Have a conversation with your manager about AI in your department

This Month:

• Complete your first AI-focused learning module

• Volunteer for one technology-related project at work

• Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your AI learning journey

This Quarter:

• Develop proficiency in at least 3 of the 10 skills

• Lead or participate in an AI pilot program

• Network with professionals who are successfully navigating AI transformation

💬 Let's Keep Building Together

How is AI already changing your day-to-day work? What skills are you focusing on developing? Hit reply and share your AI journey—I read every response and often feature insights in future newsletters.

Forward this newsletter to anyone who's wondering how to stay relevant in an AI-driven insurance world. The more we can help each other navigate this transformation, the stronger our entire industry becomes.

📱 Connect with me:

• LinkedIn | Website | Profiles in Risk Podcast

Insuring Tomorrow delivers industry insights, employment trends, and strategic guidance for insurance professionals. Forward to colleagues, share on social, and help grow our community of forward-thinking insurance pros.

Sources: Deloitte AI in Insurance Report 2024, McKinsey Digital Transformation Research

Remember: The best time to start learning AI was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.