Description: On January 12, 2023, the Arizona Blockchain Applied Research Center (AZ BARC) and the SOA Research Institute jointly ran a workshop on the use of blockchain technology in insurance and financial industries. The workshop included presentations focused on academic research in the blockchain space by Arizona State University, AZ BARC and an industry expert panel assembled by the SOA Research Institute. This document summarizes the research highlights and the discussions that occurred during the two-hour workshop.

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute released a report summarizing the InsurTech Insights Americas conference held May 24-26, 2022. InsurTech, a concept created 10-15 years ago, is maturing and currently western financial markets are recording a downward trend while inflation is rising. While this downward pressure on financing makes investors more cautious, stakeholders are working towards partnerships to improve the overall effectiveness and purpose of the insurance industry.

Description: The landscape of insurance is ever evolving with pet insurance emerging as a significant and rapidly growing segment. This webinar will cover a broad spectrum of topics essential for actuaries venturing into pet insurance, including: The pet insurance market, including major players, consolidation of the market, M&A activity. Actuarial issues like anti-selection spirals and the need (and opportunity) for growth. Regulatory headwinds. Whether you're new to pet insurance or looking to deepen your expertise, this webinar will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this growing field successfully.

Description: Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is an emerging financial system powered by blockchain technology. This research report aims to introduce actuaries to DeFi and help them develop a solid understanding of DeFi. It will begin with addressing “what is DeFi?” by providing an introduction on blockchains and DeFi. It will then discuss in further detail the key characteristics, applications, opportunities, and risks of DeFi. After providing the foundation, this report will discuss the potential adoption of DeFi and its interaction with the current financial system (sometime referred to as traditional finance for contrast with DeFi), and the implications for practicing and aspiring actuaries. In addition, a glossary of terms used in DeFi and a brief history of the development of DeFi have been included in the appendix.

Description: The landscape of the reinsurance industry is evolving amid profound changes in the insurance sector. Innovation is vital for reinsurers as risks become more complex and insurers transition from a role of "protection" to "prevention." Successful reinsurers are responding to market dynamics, particularly through open innovation – collaboration with startups.

Description: As an undergrad student, I discussed about my understanding of how AI is going to influence insurance industry through my volunteer experience with the SOA Actuarial Innovation and Technology Repository.

Description: This article, directed at actuaries, will explain the basics of blockchain in very simple terms and we will then examine some UK/European-based use cases where blockchain is already being used or developed.

Description: Al is reshaping the actuarial profession at an unprecedented pace. This article explores how emerging technologies—machine learning, generative AI, and automation—are transforming actuarial practice across pricing, reserving, and risk management. It highlights opportunities for actuaries to harness AI for deeper insights, enhanced predictive power, and more efficient workflows, while also addressing the challenges of transparency, bias, and ethical responsibility. The discussion situates AI within the broader context of professional standards and regulatory expectations, emphasizing the need for governance frameworks that safeguard trust and accountability. Drawing from real-world case studies and current research, the article examines how the actuary’s role is evolving from traditional modeling to strategic data leadership. It calls for continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that actuaries remain central to the future of risk and finance. Ultimately, this article offers a balanced roadmap—one that recognizes AI as both a disruptive force and a catalyst for professional reinvention.

Description: During the2019 InsureTech Connect conference in Las Vegas, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Plug and Play today announced the two organizations are nearing an agreement on professional development offerings and learning opportunities. The SOA and Plug and Play plan to work together on a variety of InsurTech-focused events and projects for the SOA membership, insurance industry and technology sector.

Description: Explore an overview of ChatGPT and Large Language Models (LLM) and the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT. We will discuss ramifications, including accuracy, privacy, copyright, bias, and intellectual property concerns, as well as potential use cases.