AI: From Conceptual Conversations to Practical Applications

Recently, insurance AI has moved from a much talked about and highly anticipated idea to a business tool with real implications for claims, underwriting, distribution, operations and customer experience. This was a hot topic at PropertyCasualty360's inaugural Insurance Luminaries banquet and awards ceremony on June 24, 2026. The event began with an afternoon of professional content that included a compelling panel discussion titled "AI: From Conceptual Conversations to Practical Applications" featuring Kristen Bessette from Zurich North America; Nicole Farley from Bold Penguin; and Pooja Shah from CSAA. This episode features an excerpt from that discussion.

The race for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is heating up in the wake of destructive wildfires that charred a swath of the Peach State less than a month ago. Five Democrats are challenging Republican incumbent John King with platforms largely rooted in arguments around insurance affordability, consumer protection and carrier oversight. In the run up to the Democratic primary in Georgia on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, this episode of Insurance Speak features a conversation with AJ Jain, one of the candidates for Georgia Insurance Commissioner. Jain says, "the system is rigged against Georgia families."

Four years ago, Chuck Chamness stepped away from his 18-year tenure as president and CEO of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He looked around at the state industry he'd long worked for and with, and he saw a mélange of strong businesses facing seemingly insurmountable headwinds: Inflation, catastrophe costs, regulatory uncertainty, public perception problems, and the poky pace of technology adoption all served as fiscal stressors for insurance carriers; particularly smaller, regional, mutual insurance operators. In this January 2025 interview, Chamness expands on what he views as pressing business issues facing the insurance industry and offers ideas about how to move forward.

Deidre LeBlanc of Travelers joins us for a discussion on wedding worst-case scenarios and how insurance can safeguard a couple's big day.

Historically, hobbies were thought of as both frivolous and productive. It is worth noting, however, that some major advances happened as the result of hobbyists. Consider Comet Hale-Bopp, which was discovered in 1995 by two amateur astronomers. On this episode of Insurance Speak, we capitalize on Insurance Careers Month to talk with three insurance executives about the ways in which their hobbies inform their careers. With an eye toward illuminating the types of skills and interests that can translate well to the insurance world, Grace Global Capital Managing Director Grace Vandecruze; PAK Programs Risk Management Specialist Justin Guerra; and INSTANDA CEO and Co-Founder Tim Hardcastle each discuss their personal passions and how those preoccupations advance their professional lives.  

In this episode of Insurance Speak, KwH Analytics CEO Jason Kaminsky talks about jiw company's annual Solar Risk Assessment, a report that aims to advance the solar and renewable-energy storage industries. This research is designed intentionally for a non-technical financial community. It provides investors, insureds and insurance organizations with the latest insights on the evolution of solar facility risk and mitigation strategies.

Insurance protections for greenwashing and ESG claims Description: Carolyn Rosenberg of Reed Smith discusses how greenwashing claims have evolved and how businesses can protect themselves with the right insurance.

Today's CFOs worry about economic uncertainty, market competition, talent retention, cyber threats and a host of other operational concerns. It's no wonder: These C-Suite leaders are taking on more responsibility than ever before, and that includes making decisions about insurance, according to the Travelers 2024 CFO Study. Being a CFO is "a much more complex role" than it used to be, explains Joan Woodward, executive vice president of Public Policy for Travelers and president of the Travelers Institute. She also hosts the topical weekly podcast, "Wednesdays with Woodward." In this conversation, Woodward discusses the results of the 2024 CFO Study and shares insights about what it takes to succeed in today's corporate world.

Roger Spears of Schneider Downs discusses how businesses can evaluate their cybersecurity practices and limit their vulnerability to online threats.

In 2024, cyber insurance prices are down and coverage options have expanded as carriers become ever more savvy regarding cybersecurity measures. Here, we look at how far the cyber insurance market has come over the last two years, with insights from Flow Specialty's midyear Cyber Insurance State of the Market Market Report, as compared to this archival interview with a HSB cyber expert.