Insurance companies that fail to offer strong AI tools risk losing their underwriters to competitors. A new Sixfold report finds that 77% of underwriting executives are concerned their talent may depart for firms with better AI capabilities, while 72% of underwriters say a structured AI strategy would influence their decision to take a new role.
The survey, which included 543 underwriters and underwriting executives across the U.S. and Europe who are actively using or piloting AI, reveals a sharp shift in how the industry views the technology. Every underwriting leader surveyed said AI has made their teams faster, better, or both, and 94% of underwriters agreed. These findings come as AI for Insurance becomes a core factor in talent management.
Seventy-one percent of organizations already use AI regularly in underwriting workflows, while 29% are still in pilot phases. Among underwriters, 69% said their current employer's approach to AI makes them more likely to stay, and nearly 80% feel fully prepared for where the future of underwriting is heading.
Underwriters want AI that mirrors their risk thinking
"It might surprise the industry to hear how excited underwriters are about AI, but it's what we're hearing from our customers everyday," said Alex Schmelkin, founder and CEO of Sixfold. "They've moved past ingestion engines and basic triage support. What they want is AI that aligns with how they actually think about risk and can take on some of their work. The insurers ready to put that into production will outpace their competitors."
AI strategy becomes retention strategy
"Not long ago when we spoke with underwriting leaders, they were concerned about how their underwriters would react to AI entering their workflow. Now the conversation has completely turned," said Jane Tran, co-founder and COO of Sixfold. "Leaders tell us they're worried about losing their best underwriters to competitors with stronger AI capabilities. Underwriters are saying the same thing; where and how a company invests in AI genuinely affects whether they stay or go. Many organizations haven't fully woken up to that yet, but their AI strategy is their retention strategy."
When hiring, 70% of leaders prioritize candidates comfortable with data and AI tools. The shift is clear: AI for Executives & Strategy now directly intersects with workforce planning.
Excitement for the future of underwriting
Nearly every leader surveyed-99%-said they feel more excited about the future of the insurance industry thanks to AI, while 86% of underwriters agree. About 90% would recommend underwriting as a career.
Why this matters for insurance professionals
The data makes one thing plain: an AI strategy is no longer just a technology decision. It's a talent decision. Carriers that invest in AI tools that underwriters actually want to use-those that fit risk assessment, not just automate triage-will hold onto their best people. For underwriters, the message is equally clear: comfort with AI is becoming a baseline expectation, not a differentiator. The professionals who embrace it now will be the ones shaping the industry's next chapter.
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