24 November 2025

Human + AI: Why the future of insurance is hybrid model

The insurance industry is embracing AI at an unprecedented pace but not without caution. At the recent Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC) 2025, leaders from across the sector shared a clear message: AI is a powerful enabler, but the human touch remains irreplaceable.

This discussion, featured on S&P Global Market Intelligence, highlighted how insurers and reinsurers are navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. While AI promises efficiency and innovation, executives stressed that technology should complement, not replace, human expertise.

The hybrid model: People first

“It’s not replacing people for the vast majority of functions. A lot of our AI initiatives are about upskilling the team.”

— Philip Weiner, APAC CEO, bolttech

For bolttech and others, AI is a tool to empower employees, freeing them from repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on strategic, client-centric work. This philosophy reflects a broader industry trend: using AI to enhance decision-making rather than automate it entirely.

Why human judgment still matters

Other leaders echoed similar sentiments. AI can generate options and insights, but final decisions often require human judgment — especially in a relationship-driven business such as insurance. As one executive noted, brokering remains a “people business,” even in a digital age.

Challenges on the road ahead

Despite optimism, the path to AI integration isn’t without hurdles. Legal uncertainty, data sovereignty, and scaling issues were cited as major concerns. Regulators are asking tough questions about ethics and data protection, prompting companies to build safeguards before deploying AI at scale.

The bigger picture: Risk and reinvention

AI doesn’t just change operations – it reshapes risk itself. Weiner pointed to autonomous vehicles as an example:

“Why is the human paying for the insurance? Now the types of risks are different, and that’s where reinsurers will have a big role to play in helping the industry manage the transition.”

As technology redefines liability, insurers and reinsurers must adapt their models to stay relevant.

The Bottom line

AI is here to stay, but its success depends on a balanced approach — one that values human insight as much as technological innovation. At bolttech, we believe this hybrid model is the future of insurance.

Read the full coverage on S&P Global:
https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/11/sirc-2025-insurers-emphasize-the-human-touch-during-ai-rollout-94697255