Dr. Anne Cope doesn’t just study storms, she builds them. In this episode, Alicia Burke and guest co-host Len Llaguno talk with the Chief Engineer of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) about the science behind resilience. From full-scale house destruction to wildfire ignition labs and hailstorms on demand, Anne shares how engineering, data, and insurance come together to drive real-world change.They explore how research influences building codes, how insurers can use that data, and why actuaries have a critical voice in shaping the future of resilience. Whether you’re in underwriting, modeling, or policy, this one’s for you.
Sergey Filimonov is back—and the AI landscape looks radically different than it did just seven months ago. In this follow-up conversation with Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli, we explore what's changed, what’s been overhyped, and what’s only just beginning. From reasoning models and GPU economics to the race for decentralized AI and the energy crisis no one’s talking about, this episode cuts through the noise.We also dig into the core message of Sergey’s newly published paper, “Bridging Data Divides: AI as a New Paradigm for Unstructured Data,” and why the real value of AI for actuaries isn’t just in replacing work—but in reshaping it entirely.Read Sergey’s article in the CAS E-Forum
Beyond Borders: AI, Regulation, and the Global Evolution of InsuranceIn this episode, Alicia Burke and guest co-host Mallika Bender sit down with Ran Guo, CAS Fellow and Country Director for China, to explore how insurance—and actuarial careers—are evolving across global markets. From AI productivity tools and legacy tech challenges to rating regimes and emerging risks, the conversation traces how different cultures approach bias, data privacy, and innovation. You’ll hear how EV telematics is reshaping risk signals, why actuarial training varies around the world, and what the next generation of actuaries might actually be doing in ten years (hint: not using laptops).
Points, Perks and P&C: How Actuarial Thinking Powers the Loyalty EconomyWhat do airline miles, hotel points, and your favorite store rewards have in common with insurance reserves? More than you’d think.In this episode of Almost Nowhere, hosts Alicia Burke (CAS Institute) and Max Martinelli (Akur8) sit down with Len Llaguno, FCAS — board member of the CAS and founder of KYROS Insights — to explore how actuarial skills are reshaping the $100B+ loyalty economy.Len shares how his firm blends machine learning and actuarial science to help loyalty programs predict redemption behavior, manage liabilities, and design smarter customer strategies. From airline programs now worth more than the flights themselves, to surprising consumer red flags, to why actuaries may be the missing ingredient in industries far beyond P&C, this conversation shows how risk thinking travels.Key themes you’ll hear:Why loyalty points are reserves in disguiseThe wild economics behind airlines’ biggest profit centersHow consumer patience (or lack of it) reshapes program sustainabilityWhy de-averaging data beats triangles every timeAnd Len’s candid advice for actuaries who want to leap beyond insuranceIf you’ve ever wondered where actuarial skills can create new value—or if you’ve just gamed a loyalty program for that free trip—you won’t want to miss this one.
On Chain, On Point: Reinsurance, Stablecoins, and the Tech That Actually MattersReinsurance, blockchain, capital structure innovation, and that “actuarial charm”—Jonathan Lim, FCAS joins Alicia Burke and Max Martinelli to map where the future of insurance is headed and who’s actually building it. From AI in underwriting to the hard truths about data silos, from the promise of stablecoins to the myth of fully autonomous insurers, this episode examines the shifts in risk, value, and tech adoption. If you've ever wondered what underwriting with DeFi looks like—or whether legacy carriers will keep up—we've got you.
What’s capital modeling really about, and why should actuaries care? In this episode, we sit down with David Mamane, FCAS, from RSM to unpack what capital modeling is, why it matters, and how it’s evolving.David shares what it was like helping European companies navigate Solvency II, how capital modeling is moving from the CRO’s office to the CFO’s, and why understanding the full balance sheet matters more than ever. We also explore how AI is starting to shift what’s possible (and what’s not) in this space.If you’ve ever wondered how pricing, risk, and capital actually connect, or how smarter capital modeling can give your team an edge, this one’s for you.
Reserving isn’t just about closing the books. It’s a signal. A feedback loop. Maybe even a warning. Why listen? Because ignoring reserves is risky business.In this episode, we’re joined by Charlie Stone, Partner at Lane Clark & Peacock, and Brian Fannin, FCAS, to unpack why reserving deserves a front-row seat in strategy conversations. From deterioration trends flagged by the NAIC to using reserving insights for faster pricing pivots, we explore how reserves can be your secret weapon—not just a regulatory checkbox.We talk about:Why ignoring the reserving-pricing feedback loop is a competitive missHow regulators (and you) can use machine learning to spot red flagsReserving for the unknown: inflation, catastrophes, and the surprises you can prepare forThe promise (and pitfalls) of individual claims reservingWhether you’re a pricing actuary, data scientist, or product leader, this episode will change how you think about reserves—forever.
Featuring Frank Chang, VP of Applied Science at Uber and Immediate Past President of the CAS BoardThe growth set. What’s changing in the actuarial profession — and how do we flex the right muscles to grow?In this episode of Almost Nowhere, Frank Chang joins Alicia Burke, Max Martinelli, and Josh Meyers live from the 2025 CAS Spring Meeting to talk about:How actuaries are solving non-traditional problems at companies like Uber and GoogleWhat needs to change in how we train, credential, and promote actuarial talentWhy judgment is the irreplaceable skill in the age of AIAnd whether it’s finally time to bring Max back into the credentialing foldYou’ll also hear a debate about global AI adoption, a vision for modernizing actuarial work, and yes — a brief segment on everyone’s bench press max.This episode is about finding balance: technical and human, tradition and innovation, strength and judgment.
Our guest, Kay Wakeman of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute, is a trusted voice for insurance-embedded research. Her CAS sessions are routinely standing-room only — and after hearing this conversation, you’ll understand why.Join us as Kay helps answer some big questions:Which collision-avoidance systems actually reduce losses?Why are EVs both safer and more expensive to insure?How is speed-limiting tech reshaping conversations about regulation and underwriting?And could partial automation be doing more harm than good on real roads?Whether you're an actuary, a product manager, or just someone wondering why your car keeps yelling at you — this episode is a crash course in what today’s safety tech gets wrong, and what the data says we should do next.Recorded live at the 2025 CAS Spring Meeting in Toronto, this episode of Almost Nowhere separates the marketing from the math when it comes to vehicle safety tech.
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 InterfaceCould 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.