Why AI readiness matters now
Insurance is no longer waiting on AI. The gap is opening between carriers that have scaled it in claims and those still piloting.
higher revenue growth reported by P&C "trailblazers" furthest along in AI adoption, versus the rest of the industry.1
of global insurers say data readiness, not the AI itself, is the biggest barrier to getting value from it.3
of insurance executives say their organization has adopted AI in some form, per BCG's 2025 survey.4
Carriers using advanced analytics and AI report stronger returns and premium growth than those that have not.5 The strategy gap is rarely the AI itself. It is whether the data, workflows, governance and people around it are ready to support it.6
The five dimensions of AI readiness
This assessment scores five dimensions that consistently separate organizations that scale AI from those stuck piloting it, drawing on MIT CISR's enterprise AI maturity research.2,7
- Data. Is claims data accessible, clean and consistent enough for a model or a person to trust it?
- Process. Are workflows standardized enough that AI assistance fits into them, rather than adding a parallel, inconsistent path?
- Technology. Is AI actually in production, and can your core systems integrate with the tools you want to use?
- Governance. Is there a written policy for reviewing AI use, and a plan for the regulatory requirements that apply to it?
- People. Are staff trained and willing to work with AI, and is there an executive sponsor backing adoption with resources?
What regulators expect
AI governance in claims is not just good practice. It is increasingly a compliance requirement, and the expectations vary by jurisdiction.
| Rule | What it expects |
|---|---|
| NAIC Model Bulletin on AI8 | A written AI program with governance, risk controls and vendor oversight, adopted by regulators in a growing number of states.9 |
| Colorado SB21-169 and Regulation 10-1-110,11 | A governance and risk management framework for insurers using external data and algorithms in life insurance, including testing for unfair discrimination. |
| EU AI Act12,13 | Risk-based obligations for AI systems, with insurance underwriting and pricing use cases treated as high-risk in the original regulation. |
Rules continue to evolve. Treat this table as a starting point for your compliance review, not a substitute for legal advice.
Updated by the amaise team.