Inside the AI Innovation Playbook We Brought to BrokerTech Connect
At BrokerTech Ventures’ BrokerTech Connect: Chicago event, I had the opportunity to speak to insurance industry leaders during my session “Unlocking Innovation in an AI-First World”. It’s no longer about the buzzwords. It’s about execution. And as the pace of change accelerates, those who figure out how to scale AI responsibly will unlock massive advantages.
We’re helping our clients in insurance and across all industries do just that. But the shift isn’t just about technology. It’s about how we work, build, and think. Here are five big takeaways from our conversations that are especially relevant to brokers, carriers, and insurtech teams looking to lead, not lag.
1. Start Small and Strategic
You don’t need a moonshot to get moving. The most successful insurance companies start by identifying a focused internal use case where AI can deliver quick, measurable ROI, think document triage, intake form processing, or decision support automation.
Starting here reduces risk, accelerates insight, and creates internal champions who build momentum from the ground up. It’s a smarter path forward: less costly than a full-scale rollout, but powerful enough to showcase real business value early.
2. Validate with Prototypes
Before scaling across your organization, validate assumptions by prototyping early and iteratively. Working closely with stakeholders to pressure-test workflows allows you to avoid rework and misalignment later. We’ve helped teams launch pilot-ready AI agents in under six weeks.
This approach keeps the process nimble and focused on value. By proving what works (and what doesn’t) up front, you can secure buy-in and move with clarity.
3. Foster a Culture of Exploration
Innovation thrives when teams are permitted to explore. We’ve seen grassroots experimentation lead to powerful, bottom-up AI adoption. Tool exploration and internal curiosity unlock quick wins, and even better, they deepen institutional knowledge organically.
Some of the most transformative ideas come from the front lines. Empowering people to prototype, test, and share what’s working is how innovation becomes a habit, not a department.
4. Bake in Security and Compliance from Day One
Insurance is a trust-first industry. Any AI solution must include auditability, explainability, and access controls from the outset. Embedding these safeguards early on allows innovation to scale responsibly and keeps risk at bay.
It’s not just about protecting data. It’s about ensuring that your AI efforts align with regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Governance isn’t a bottleneck; it’s a foundation.
5. Reimagine the Entire Operating Model
AI isn’t just changing how we build software. It’s transforming how businesses operate. We’re seeing improvements across underwriting, onboarding, documentation, and communications. Our own teams now integrate AI into every phase of the product lifecycle.
Smaller teams can accomplish more with fewer manual processes. Delivery timelines shrink. Decisions improve because real-time data powers them. This shift isn’t just about efficiency, but building for scale.
Build AI to Work in Tandem with Legacy Systems
A common concern we heard at BrokerTech Connect: “What about our legacy systems?” Good news, you don’t have to rip and replace. We’ve helped organizations successfully layer AI on top of existing infrastructure, augmenting outdated systems with modern intelligence.
The result: faster workflows, better decision-making, and improved user experiences without starting from scratch.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Innovation doesn’t have to be siloed. The more transparent we are about what’s working and what isn’t, the faster the whole industry moves forward. Smaller, broker-led convenings are creating room for honest conversations, shared playbooks, and accelerated progress. When we work together, we learn faster and build better.
If you’re feeling behind, you’re not alone. But waiting isn’t the answer. Start small. Test fast. Build smart. And embed trust and compliance from the beginning.
AI isn’t the future of insurance. It’s the present. The leaders who embrace it with clarity and courage will shape the next decade.
Want to explore your first (or next) AI initiative? Let’s talk about what’s possible.
