On our latest episode of FNO: InsureTech, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejean welcome back Stan Smith, Founder & CEO of Gradient AI, for his first appearance on the show since 2019.

A lot has changed since then.

What was once a conversation about machine learning and predictive analytics has evolved into a much bigger discussion about AI, decision intelligence, and how insurers are actually putting these technologies to work.

In a conversation that's equal parts reflection, reality check, and look ahead, Stan shares what he's learned from building Gradient AI into one of the insurance industry's earliest AI-native companies, how both the company and the market have evolved since 2019, and why the future of insurance AI may be less about predicting outcomes and more about helping insurers act on them.
 

Highlights from this Episode
 

The evolution of AI in insurance since 2019
Stan reflects on how the industry has moved from experimenting with machine learning and predictive analytics to deploying AI across core underwriting, claims, and operational workflows.
 

Why data quality remains the foundation of successful AI initiatives
While AI capabilities continue to advance, Stan explains why the quality of underlying data remains one of the biggest determinants of success and why many organizations still underestimate its importance.
 

The difference between predictive analytics and decision intelligence
Predicting outcomes is only part of the equation. Stan discusses how insurers are increasingly using AI to support real-time decisions and guide actions rather than simply forecast risk.
 

How insurers are using AI to improve underwriting and claims outcomes
The conversation explores how carriers are applying AI to enhance risk assessment, improve consistency, identify opportunities earlier, and create better outcomes across underwriting and claims operations.
 

What separates measurable business value from AI hype
Stan shares a practical perspective on how insurers can distinguish between technology that generates headlines and technology that delivers meaningful operational and financial results.
 

The growing role of AI in workers' compensation and healthcare
From claim severity prediction to risk assessment, Stan discusses how AI is helping organizations operate more proactively and make better-informed decisions in complex lines of business.
 

Lessons learned from building one of insurance's earliest AI-native companies
Building Gradient AI long before AI became a mainstream topic has given Stan a unique view of adoption, implementation, trust, and what it really takes to bring AI into the insurance enterprise.
 

Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, underwriting, claims, risk management, or the future of insurance technology, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has spent years helping shape the industry's AI journey.

Give it a listen and let us know what resonates most with you.
 

P.S. We know a lot of you have been missing Lee Boyd on the show. Don't worry, he'll be back behind the mic soon enough. In the meantime, Rob and David are holding things down with some fantastic conversations. Stay tuned. 😉