Get Plugged In

Igor Nikitin, CEO and co-founder of Nice Technologies and an actuary-software engineer-entrepreneur, discusses practical AI for actuarial modeling. He shares real-world AI uses for model development, review, and documentation. He warns about hype, data limits, black-box outputs, vendor claims, and scaling costs. He offers rollout tips: start small, set privacy and governance, require citations and human sign-off.

In this episode of Get Plugged In – AI Insights, Dale Hall (Managing Director, Society of Actuaries Research Institute) sits down with Ronald Poon Affat, Independent Board Director & Cross-Continental Actuary, joining live from São Paulo, Brazil, to explore how NIST is shaping the standards that will define trustworthy AI—and why that matters for actuaries. They discuss what the NIST AI Consortium is, why the SOA is actively contributing through its AI Safety Working Group, and what it's like collaborating with leading voices across technology, academia, and public policy. The conversation also dives into the next major focus area: TEVV (Testing, Evaluation, Verification, and Validation)—a practical "quality assurance" approach to ensure AI models are fair, explainable, reliable, and ready for regulatory scrutiny. Listen in for a clear, actuarial lens on where AI governance is headed in insurance—and how actuaries can lead by asking the right risk questions.

In this episode of the Get Plugged In Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Joe Alaimo, CEO at ProComp Consulting Inc. in Ontario, Canada. Together, they unpack the results of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute's inaugural AI Adoption Survey. Their conversation explores how actuaries are using AI tools, the most common use cases across career stages, and the key organizational barriers such as skill gaps and compliance risks. They also discuss surprising survey results on interest in further AI education and how attitudes differ between early- and late-career actuaries. This foundational research will be repeated regularly to track how the profession's use of AI evolves over time. 📢 Read the full report here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/ai-member-survey-summer-2025/ Visit our Artificial Intelligence landing page Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Models and Machine Learning in Actuarial Science In this episode of Get Plugged In – AI Insights, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, welcomes Ronald Richman, Founder and CEO of insureAI, to discuss the evolving role of machine learning in actuarial work. Actuaries have long relied on established statistical models grounded in theory and industry experience. But as machine learning continues to revolutionize data analysis, it brings new opportunities—and new challenges—for the profession. Dale and Ronald explore the differences between traditional actuarial methods and modern machine learning techniques, the practical applications of AI in insurance today, and how actuaries can prepare themselves for a data-driven future. Listeners can dive deeper into this topic by visiting the Society of Actuaries Research Institute's Artificial Intelligence topic landing page: https://www.soa.org/research/topics/artificial-intelligence-topic-landing Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

In this episode of Get Plugged In – AI Insights, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Frances M. Green, Corporate Defense Attorney and AI Governance Professional at Epstein Becker Green. Together, they unpack the implications of the White House's July 2025 AI Action Plan, Winning the Race – America's AI Action Plan, and what it means for actuaries, insurers, and the broader financial sector. From regulatory rollback to state-level resistance, this conversation explores the critical intersections of AI innovation, data governance, and risk management. Frances shares expert insights on the shift in federal policy, potential legal challenges, and how actuaries should prepare for emerging state regulations, such as those in Colorado and California. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how this bold federal initiative could reshape everything from underwriting to pension planning. 📍Explore more AI resources at the SOA's AI landing page: https://www.soa.org/research/topics/artificial-intelligence-topic-landing/ Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

In this episode of Get Plugged In – AI Insights, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, sits down with JianGang He, FSA, FCIA (Associate Director, AON PathWise) and Hong Li, FSA, ACIA (Professor, University of Guelph) to discuss the SOA Research Institute report: AI Impact on Insurance Industries in Greater China. Together, they explore how insurers in the Greater China region are rapidly adopting large language models and other AI tools to enhance operations across customer service, underwriting, claims, and agent support. The conversation highlights regional advantages in speed of adoption, strategic partnerships with tech firms, and key challenges like data privacy, governance, and cost. This episode offers actionable insights into how AI is reshaping traditional roles, creating new skill demands, and evolving from an efficiency tool to a strategic driver of innovation. 📘 Access the full report and additional AI research here: Artificial Intelligence Research.

In this episode of the Get Plugged In Podcast Series: AI Insights, Dale Hall, Managing Director of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Michael Niemerg, Principal and Director of Data Science and Analytics at Milliman IntelliScript, to explore the urgent and evolving topic of fairness in artificial intelligence, particularly as it applies to insurance underwriting. Michael shares deep insights into the complexities of ensuring fairness in AI-driven models, the implications of generative AI for interpretability, and how actuarial professionals can better align modeling practices with ethical and regulatory standards. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about AI fairness, the value of additional data in underwriting, and what actuaries need to consider in designing and testing fair models. 🎧 Whether you're an actuary, data scientist, or regulator, this is a must-listen discussion on how to navigate bias, maintain trust, and prepare for a future where AI continues to reshape the insurance industry. 📍 Be sure to visit the SOA's Artificial Intelligence landing page for more research, tools, and expert perspectives on AI's role in actuarial science. Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

In this episode of the Get Plugged In podcast, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, is joined by Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp Consulting Inc. Together, they delve into the findings of a recent roundtable discussion focused on the role of generative AI in the actuarial profession. Joe shares highlights from the panel of actuaries and industry professionals who discussed real-world use cases, ethical concerns, and how actuaries are uniquely positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. From code generation and digital coaches to actuarial modeling support, this conversation covers the growing impact of AI in insurance and risk management. Want to explore more? Access the full report and other valuable resources on our Artificial Intelligence landing page at SOA.org Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

In this episode of Get Plugged In – AI Insights, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, sits down with Dr. Raymond Sheh, Associate Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University and Guest Researcher at NIST. Together, they explore the concept of Vibe Coding, a new approach to AI-assisted software development that emphasizes intent over syntax. Dr. Sheh unpacks the benefits and the significant risks of relying on tools that "code by vibe," especially within actuarial workflows. Whether you're a coding novice or an experienced modeler, this episode offers critical insights on how actuaries can use these tools responsibly—without losing rigor or control. To explore more tools and insights about AI in actuarial science, visit the SOA's AI landing page: https://www.soa.org/research/topics/artificial-intelligence-topic-landing Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org

In this episode of the AI Insights series from the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, Dale Hall sits down with Blake Hill, Vice President of Market Development & Growth at dacadoo. They explore how wearable technology, coupled with AI, is transforming the life and health insurance landscape—from personalized underwriting and engagement strategies to predictive analytics and behavior-driven product design. Blake shares real-world applications of AI-enhanced wearables, discusses the ROI across insurance lines, and offers a glimpse into the future of "hearables" and agentic AI. This episode is a deep dive into how insurers can harness the power of AI to better serve policyholders while promoting health and equity. Visit our Artificial Intelligence landing page Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org