Description: The frequent use and complexity of today's actuarial projection models has increased the importance of having efficient models. Model optimization can reduce both cloud costs and overall end-to-end clock times, thereby allowing companies to do more with less such as reducing close times, increasing controls, enhancing analysis, doing more complicated calculations, and/or improving employee workloads during the close. From design and data to execution and audit, come explore techniques that can be applied throughout the actuarial modeling process to optimize actuarial models for improved run-time, accuracy, and reliability. There will be a focus on techniques that don't rely on model compression. Topics covered include model design pitfalls, data handling, improving convergence on asset-liability projections, strategies for interacting with the cloud, and other tips for optimizing actuarial models.

Description: Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) represent an innovative suite of cryptographic algorithms that empower the insurance community to validate the accuracy of sensitive information without revealing the actual information itself. Mutation with the use of non-traditional data entering the insurance processes of customer acquisition and in-force management is currently taking place. A shift toward using non-traditional data in insurance customer acquisition and in-force management processes is currently taking place. This evolution is captured in the Australian market through surveys and interviews. Come and join us to learn about these two new research studies that open up the possibilities for the insurance industry to be more efficient in delivering its value to the society.

Description: Dive into this review on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) techniques for actuarial modeling for life & annuities. Presenters will showcase learnings from the recent SOA research paper "Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning – Practical Applications for Actuarial Modeling" (Nested Stochastic). The researchers will go over models and methodologies used to develop high-fidelity proxy models for various life & annuity applications.

Description: Focus on the importance of achieving complete and accurate technical reviews of work products that contribute to decision making. As actuaries, we often face tight deadlines and the demand is high for our team members to provide results in a timely manner. Through investing upfront time into a quality review of our work product, with an added focus on professional excellence and ethics, overall time savings can be gained and an overall higher quality work product can be achieved, not only of the technical work being performed, but of the decision making that is influenced by the result of the work. At the conclusion of this session, you will be able to understand the value of technical reviews and the methods of preparing for and implementing technical reviews across a team.

Description: Dr. Kimberly Harden helps organizations shift from a traditional diversity model to one that emphasizes diversity, interpersonal communication, and talent management. She will discuss topics on bias and how to be your authentic self in the workplace.

Description: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT will redefine the nature of work across industries in coming years, What does this mean for the actuarial profession? Delivering generative AI tools to actuaries capable of leveraging them effectively will dramatically modernize how actuaries work and contribute to organizational growth. In this educational session, explore how generative AI can accelerate actuarial model development. Gain an introduction to generative AI and its implications for actuarial modeling. Learn how it specifically helps actuaries improve accuracy, reduce errors and save time in model development. Then explore use cases, including how generative AI can improve data cleaning, model building, as well as simulate scenarios and test model robustness. Close with a discussion on how to integrate generative AI into actuarial modeling workflows effectively, including common challenges actuaries may face during implementation and tips to overcome them. You will come away with a deeper understanding of how generative AI can accelerate actuarial model development.

Description: The SOA Research Institute is seeking researchers to study the application of geospatial imagery, high-resolution imagery, and artificial intelligence in loss estimate analytics and underwriting within the insurance industry.

Description: Leveraging the research papers "Emerging Technologies and their Impact on Actuarial Science and Top Actuarial Technologies," the presenters of this session will highlight current and emerging actuarial technology trends, discuss how these trends will impact the day-to-day work of actuaries, and explain what actuaries can do to adapt.

Description: At the end of December 2020, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriates Act, 2021, which included revisions to Section 7702. Effective for policies issued after December 31, 2020, the fixed 4% and 6% minimum annual effective rates under these tests were changed to refer to a market-based rate called the “insurance interest rate”. For contracts issued in 2021, the insurance rate was set to 2% - defined as the lower of the Section 7702 applicable federal interest rate based on the 60-month period ending December 2019 (2%) and the Section 7702 valuation interest rate in effect for 2020 (3.5%). This reduction in the rates used for compliance testing required significant product, operational, and technology changes for companies to reach product compliance. After 2021, the insurance interest rate is redetermined annually with a minimum change floor.

Description: For actuaries, finance and IT professionals, the long-duration targeted improvements (LDTI) implementation has been a career milestone. These projects were often the most significant undertaking of individuals’ careers, with respect to scale, complexity and duration. Join this session and participate in small groups, with consideration given to ensure each group has representation from both 2023 and 2025 filers., with moderators presenting questions to encourage small group discussion.