Aon CEO Greg Case said during the firm's second-quarter 2026 earnings call that artificial intelligence is not a standalone strategy but an accelerant of the data and analytics work the company has been building for 15 years. The firm is using generative AI to boost revenue-generating capabilities for clients, rather than simply chasing productivity gains.
AI as an accelerant, not a new strategy
Case made clear that Aon's leadership never set out to create an AI strategy. Instead, the technology - particularly generative AI - speeds up efforts already underway. "We didn't start with an AI strategy, that to us doesn't exist. AI accelerates what we've been working on," he said. He described the multi-year effort to connect the firm's operations through risk capital, human capital, and AI business services, which created a curated data lake that competitors can't easily replicate.
"We could curate it and create fidelity around that data in a way no one else could do," Case said. He stressed that the value lies not just in analytics, but in getting data into the hands of practitioners and trusted advisors. The firm has been doing artificial intelligence and machine learning for years, but generative AI now acts as a powerful accelerator.
Built on a data foundation
The data infrastructure supports how Aon organizes risk capital and human capital for clients. Case said the firm's ability to deliver relevant insights depends on that foundation. "All those things are in place, and then all of a sudden we get an acceleration opportunity, and that's AI," he added. The shift from older AI methods to generative AI is what gives the firm its current momentum.
This approach underscores the value of integrating AI as an accelerant, a core concept in AI for Executives & Strategy. Aon's track record shows that treating AI as a layer on top of existing systems - rather than a separate initiative - can produce faster results.
Revenue orientation over productivity
Case distinguished Aon's AI efforts from those of many other firms. "One of the things Aon brings to the table that's fundamentally different isn't just productivity orientation, instead the firm orientates AI around revenue and growth," he said. He pointed to tools like risk analysers, health analysers, and the Aon Client Treaty, as well as a new global exchange, all of which are revenue-generating engines driven by AI within the firm's ABS strategy.
"For us, it isn't about coming up with something new and hoping we have the right strategy. We tap into the best partners in the world everywhere we can to accelerate our proven strategy," Case said. He described the approach as an integrated, data-driven, analytic-driven method that responds to specific client needs, which helps win, retain, and grow client relationships.
Why this matters for executives
Aon's experience illustrates that AI is most effective when it speeds up existing strategic initiatives rather than being treated as a separate project. For executives, the takeaway is to focus on how AI can augment current revenue-generating processes, using a solid data foundation as the backbone. The goal is to embed AI into the business model, not bolt it on, and to measure success by revenue growth, not just efficiency gains.
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