Nationwide invests $1.5b to expand AI in insurance underwriting

Desk report: Nationwide, a leading US insurer, is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into its underwriting processes as part of a $1.5 billion technology investment through 2028, including $100 million annually dedicated to AI advancements. Announced in October 2025, the commitment builds on prior modernisation efforts and focuses on improving human-AI collaboration, workflow efficiency, and risk assessment across property and casualty lines.

In commercial lines, particularly agribusiness, initiatives such as Project Rosie use generative AI to process complex, unstructured data. Underwriters often manage multi-vehicle and multi-state policies involving extensive documentation. AI tools summarise submissions, identify gaps, flag missing information, and enable proactive outreach to agents, helping reduce underwriting cycle times while keeping human decision-making central.

‘Underwriters still review and make the decisions, but AI acts as an aide,’ said Guru Vasudeva, Nationwide’s Property & Casualty Chief Technology Officer.

Nationwide is also using computer vision and digital twin technologies to improve property risk evaluation. High-resolution aerial and satellite imagery can create virtual replicas of homes and commercial properties, detecting risks such as overhanging tree branches near roofs or vegetation located close to warehouses—often without requiring on-site inspections. This enables more precise underwriting, improved pricing accuracy, and proactive risk alerts for policyholders.

AI also supports broader operations, including claims summarisation. For example, Nationwide’s Claims Log Notes system processes thousands of claims notes each week, helping claims professionals quickly review case information. The insurer is also expanding its use of predictive modeling to enhance risk analysis and operational decision-making.

The company aims to achieve 90% employee AI adoption by 2026, emphasising technology that augments human expertise rather than replacing it. Nationwide says it will continue scaling AI responsibly while prioritising data protection, governance, and measurable outcomes in its underwriting transformation.