How to Put People First in Your AI Rollout

Key Takeaways

• Employee confidence rose 13% after AI immersion week.
• Managers' AI confidence increased 23%; 80% feel ready to guide teams.
• Daily AI usage intent grew 27% across the workforce.
• Dedicated learning time accelerated AI adoption and skill development.
• Vertafore prioritized mindset, training, governance before scaling AI tools.

Pulse Analysis

The insurance sector is entering a rapid AI adoption phase, with 2026 projected to double the number of generative‑AI pilots across carriers and MGAs. While the technology promises faster underwriting, smarter claims handling, and personalized pricing, firms repeatedly stumble on cultural resistance and unclear governance. Executives who treat AI as a pure efficiency tool often see low utilization rates because frontline staff fear job displacement. A people‑first approach—grounding rollout in transparent communication, skill‑building, and measurable confidence—has emerged as the missing link between investment and tangible performance gains.

Vertafore illustrated this shift by pausing normal operations for a week‑long AI immersion, explicitly making employee confidence its primary KPI. Pre‑ and post‑surveys showed a 13 % lift in overall confidence, an 11 % drop in uncertainty, and a 27 % jump in intended daily AI use. Managers reported a 23 % confidence increase, with 80 % feeling equipped to coach their teams responsibly. By allocating dedicated learning bandwidth and deploying a custom GPT for development plans, the company turned abstract tools into actionable assets, accelerating adoption without sacrificing compliance or security.

For insurers looking to replicate Vertafore’s success, the roadmap begins with mindset: communicate AI’s role as a collaborator, not a replacement, and embed a simple “Should I?” decision framework. Next, carve out protected time for cross‑functional experimentation and pair it with robust governance that defines guardrails and accountability. Finally, select pilot functions—such as customer support or product development—where ROI can be quantified within 90 days, using metrics like call‑handling time and satisfaction scores. Companies that embed these people‑centric practices are poised to convert AI hype into sustainable competitive advantage.