In this episode, we talk with Jim Guszcza — former US Chief Data Scientist at Deloitte and current CAS Board Member — about what the future of AI should look like. We challenge the ideology of artificial intelligence, explore how actuaries can lead the shift to human-centered systems, and dive into the power of collective intelligence, participatory design, and explainability. If you’ve ever wondered how to build models that actually work — and what we’re missing when we treat AI as magic — this episode is for you.

Jim's latest publications

In this episode, we talk with Drew Hill, a product manager at Mutual Capital Analytics, about what happens when product, actuarial, and data science roles start to blend — and why that might be exactly what the future of insurance needs. We get into AI, upskilling, regulatory hurdles, model trust, and how cross-functional teams are reshaping product strategy from the inside out.

We are joined by Molly Mowery, AICP, a national leader in wildfire mitigation and land use planning. She’s the founder of Wildfire Planning International and co-founder of the Community Wildfire Planning Center.

We explore how data, AI, and smart planning are shaping wildfire risk mitigation across the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Molly walks us through the evolving tools and policies designed to protect communities, the challenges that come with rapid growth in high-risk areas, and what insurers and data scientists need to understand about the future of this growing threat.

Links Mentioned & Other Research:

• Molly’s Publication: Planning the Wildland-Urban Interface
• Could this Irvine neighborhood be the blueprint for a more fire-resistant L.A.?
• 2025 RPM Aligning Industries for Wildfire Resilience
• KCC Wildfire Losses Whitepaper
• Florida's wildfire season and weather: what's at play?

This conversation takes a look at the aftermath of recent hurricanes, focusing on the restoration processes, challenges in building materials, and the complexities of insurance claims. The discussion highlights the importance of communication between contractors and insurance adjusters, the need for data transparency, and the evolving trends in construction and disaster preparedness. Insights from industry experts provide a comprehensive view of the current landscape and future directions.

In Episode 4 of Almost Nowhere, hosts Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli are joined by Howard Kunst, Chief Actuary at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), to explore the evolving role of data science and AI in catastrophe risk management. Recorded at the Casualty Actuarial Society’s Rate Making, Product and Modeling Seminar (RPM) in Orlando, this episode explores the challenges of pricing insurance products amidst a changing climate and the innovations helping to mitigate these risks.

Howard shares his insights on how the insurance industry is adapting to new climate realities, with a focus on building codes, resilience, and the future of catastrophe modeling. The conversation also touches on the intersection of AI and catastrophe risk, highlighting real-time data solutions and the role of AI in enhancing catastrophe predictions.

As the industry faces rising natural disaster risks, Howard also discusses how data-driven approaches are reshaping the insurance landscape, ensuring insurers stay proactive and capable of adjusting to new realities. Whether you’re an actuary, underwriter, or risk manager, this episode provides valuable insights into the future of catastrophe risk and how AI and data science are playing pivotal roles in its evolution.

In this episode of Almost Nowhere, hosts Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli sit down with Devyn McNicholl, an actuarial and statistical consultant, to explore the evolving intersection of AI, data science, and the actuarial profession. Recorded live at the Casualty Actuarial Society's Rate Making, Product, and Modeling Seminar (RPM) in Orlando, this episode dives into the future of AI in the insurance industry and how it’s reshaping the actuarial landscape.

Devyn shares her reflections on a keynote address by a futurist discussing AI's rapid evolution and its implications for actuaries, particularly around automating tasks, improving efficiency, and enhancing decision-making processes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI’s role within the industry and the challenges of embracing new technologies.

Devyn also opens up about her personal journey, transitioning from a traditional actuarial career to a more data science-focused role. She discusses how branching out into new areas of expertise can create new opportunities and drive growth for professionals in the evolving insurance landscape.

In this episode of Almost Nowhere, host Alicia Burke speaks with Sergey Filimonov, CTO at Matrisk, about the transformative power of AI in the P&C insurance landscape. They discuss the AI Fast Track Bootcamp, the challenges of working with unstructured data, and the evolving role of actuaries in an AI-driven world. Sergey shares insights from his journey in data science, the importance of evaluating AI outputs, and predictions for the future of AI technology. The conversation also touches on the implications of massive capital expenditures in AI, the global landscape of AI development, and practical advice for individuals and organizations looking to adopt AI solutions.

In this inaugural episode of the Almost Nowhere podcast, hosts Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli discuss the origins and goals of the AI Fast Track initiative, aimed at bridging the gap between AI advancements and the actuarial community. They are joined by Josh Myers, a key contributor to the program, who shares insights on course design, the importance of discussion boards for community engagement, and the evolving role of data in actuarial science. The conversation also explores the potential for personalization in insurance, international perspectives on rate making, and the future of predictive modeling. The episode concludes with advice for data professionals looking to enter the insurance industry and book recommendations from Josh.