Automation in Action

At its core, insurance is about risk – how to detect, measure and mitigate it. And advances in automation technology, generally –  AI, more specifically –  are transforming the insurance industry. Automation is revolutionizing the way insurance companies make use of vast troves of data to power underwriting and processing, deliver greater value to end customers, and bring new cost efficiencies to the broader market. It’s not just important to the insurance sector. It has a profound impact on each and every end market that uses insurance to manage risk.In this episode, we speak to Max Drucker, CEO of Carpe Data, who has had a front row seat for advancements in insurance technology, spanning his entire career. We learn from Max how the automation of once manual tasks and the application of AI are creating new tools and methods to revolutionize risk management.Key takeaways from this episode:• What key challenges the insurance industry faces today• How insurance underwriters use data to improve risk assessment and management• What data availability means for the insurance industry• How automation is helping to drive the industry forward• What AI portends for the industry and its clientsTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation.

A powerful combination of trends – from the proliferation of connected devices to the increasing sophistication of hackers and shortage of qualified security talent – has created an urgent need for smarter technology that can harness vast quantities of data in real time and create predictive models to make enterprises safer and more secure.In this episode, we speak to Kerry Bailey, CEO of eSentire, a security firm that protects the critical data and applications of over 2000 organizations, across 35 industries. The company uses sophisticated automation technology to monitor and shut down both known and unknown cyber threats. We take an in-depth look at the cybersecurity landscape, its evolution, and where we stand today as Generative AI and Large Language Models continue to proliferate.Key takeaways from this episode:• The evolution of cybersecurity over the past decade• How generative AI, automation, and cybersecurity interrelate• How generative AI is making hackers more sophisticated, and how we can use that same technology to defend against them• What’s behind the massive shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and how automation can help to complement the work of human analysts• The generative AI trends professionals need to be on the lookout forTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation.

In an increasingly online post-COVID world, e-commerce accounts for a growing amount of all commerce, and customer expectations are higher than ever. For shoppers, the e-commerce world means any item is available at their fingertips, ready to ship in the blink of an eye. But the myriad steps involved along the journey are tremendously complicated.In this episode, we hear from Ron Kyslinger, Advisor to THL, and Marc Austin, Chief Solutions Officer at Fortna. Together, we’ll follow the journey of automation from the moment a customer searches out an item, examines ratings and reviews and adds it to their cart, all the way to its arrival at their door.Key takeaways from this episode:• How product information is integrated into the seamless shopping experience customers see• How automation streamlines the shipping process to optimize efficiency• Why automation is transforming – not eliminating –  jobs for factory workers• What challenges are facing retailers today and how automation technology can helpTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation.

The upsurge of  generative AI has reached an inflection point, with the potential to revolutionize industries as diverse as marketing and communications, accounting, securities trading, advertising, but also coding and computer science. It’s an exciting future in which non-technologists can use AI to build powerful applications that will transform their industries, but it’s also a disruptive world that may change the role of millions of knowledge workers. In this episode, we speak to Dan Roth, Co-Founder and CEO of Scaled Cognition. Together, we’ll take an in-depth look at how we interact with these emerging technologies, the future of generative AI, and what we need to do to prepare for it.Key takeaways from this episode:• The inner workings of large language models like Chat GPT, and how they learn and adapt• The forthcoming impacts of emerging technologies on knowledge workers• How these emerging technologies will affect the way humans interact with computers• What business leaders need to be aware of when engaging with new technologiesTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation

Semiconductors are a backbone of our national economy. From government defense systems to our smart phones and computers, we rely on them in ways most of us rarely pause to consider. That's why the Biden administration and Congress have made it a top priority to boost the domestic manufacture of semiconductors. But semiconductors are notoriously complicated and expensive to produce. In this episode, we speak with Dave Jarzynka, CEO of Brooks Automation, a leading provider of precision robots that serve the global manufacturing of semiconductors. We’ll learn about the complexities and costs of manufacturing semiconductors, and how automation plays a key role in facilitating their production.Key takeaways from this episode:The scale of technologies semiconductors that enable, and why they are so important to the global economyThe nuances of semiconductor manufacturing, and the specialized environment of the Semiconductor Fabrication Plants (FABs) required for their productionHow AI and other emerging technologies may impact semiconductor demand and manufacturingTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation

How do we feed a growing world population in a world where natural resources – especially water – are under strain? How do we build a more sustainable future? In this episode, we speak to Lisa Prassack, Agri-Food Innovation Expert and Data Strategy Consultant for Prassack Advisors, and Mike Meadows, Regional Farm Manager of Stemilt Agriculture Services. We hear how automation can enable farmers to produce more food while using less water, fuel, and fertilizer, and help them understand what is going on with their crops in real time, so they can make decisions based on rich data.Key takeaways from this episode:The unique challenges farmers like Mike face, and how automation technology can help to build stronger, more sustainable businessesHow automation technology for agriculture has evolved over the past 70 yearsHow farmers can use automation technology to improve work / life balance for their staffWhy a “boots on the ground” philosophy is essential for technologists building agricultural automation systemsTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation.

It's no secret the American hospital system is under heavy strain. Practitioners are burnt out, patient volumes are rising, and resources are finite. The challenge for hospitals is stark: How can they achieve better outcomes at lower cost, and improve patient and practitioner satisfaction? In this episode, we speak with Jane Moran, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Mass General Brigham, about how automation can help achieve this triple good on the way to building hospitals for the 21st century.Key takeaways from this episode:How Mass General Brigham is using technology to achieve breakthroughs in pathology and treatmentHow automation at Mass General Brigham is a key element in improving empathic patient careHow using software like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is helping to alleviate additional stress on healthcare practitionersWhat future opportunities are emerging for AI in the healthcare industryTo learn more about THL’s cross-sector strategy to uncover opportunities in emerging technologies, visit THL.com/automation.

Innovation in automation is making a daily impact on our lives, often in unseen ways. Automation professionals are working to address important societal challenges and unlock economic opportunity around the globe. In each episode of Automation in Action, you’ll hear from technologists, business leaders and other experts who are driving the industry forward and inspiring a new generation. Join Jim Carlisle, Sarika Ramakrishnan, and Syndie Kim, automation experts at THL, as they lead you on a journey of innovation with the visionaries who are inspiring the industry and improving the world through automation technology.