It’s becoming increasingly clear that no business can afford to ignore Artificial Intelligence. Globally, hundreds of billions are being invested to harness AI’s potential. Not just to avoid being left behind, but to gain a competitive edge. For many entrepreneurs, this represents an opportunity to build entirely new business models. Their goal is to transfer AI knowledge and tools into real-world solutions that enhance performance and reduce costs.
However, a key risk lies in misinterpreting what AI should and should not be used for. For knowledge-driven companies like IMU, a MGA insurer in marine liability insurance, AI must never be mistaken as an end goal in itself. At the same time, it would be equally unwise to ignore its transformative potential. The path forward is a balanced strategy: acquire a clear understanding of AI, then determine how AI tools can support the work of authentic professionals who apply deep, human knowledge to serve their clients.
The word “Artificial” in Artificial Intelligence can be unsettling. Artificial implies something false, unauthentic, and that challenges our commitment to genuine, insightful service. And yet, the solution may lie within that very discomfort. AI can produce impressive, high-quality output. Sometimes giving the illusion of real intelligence. But once human interaction is required, say in a meeting or on the phone, those relying solely on AI output will be exposed, as the true depth of knowledge simply isn’t there.
At IMU, we are actively exploring AI as a support tool, not a substitute for the professionals in our team. We believe in using AI to save time and add value, but not at the expense of losing control over the quality and content of our advice. Authentic expertise must remain at the core.
How does this work in practice? Suppose an IMU professional decides to leave the answer to a question entirely to an AI tool and then emails it to the customer. Chances are that it is good advice, but what happens if the customer calls the next day and has a few more questions about the advice? How are you going to respond to that? You can’t, because the advice was not given based on your own human knowledge, so it is virtually impossible to get yourself out of this situation.
In our profession, where human intelligence is key to giving advice or solving problems, you cannot allow AI to act as a substitute in order to save time and money. You will first have to tackle the case with your own intelligence, then you could ask for the help of an AI tool to provide additional information that can be added to your own advice, but it remains important to manage and execute the case entirely with your own knowledge. So not Artificial Intelligence, as it is now called, but Augmented or Additional Intelligence.
To conclude, we advocate for a shift in perception: AI should not be seen as Artificial Intelligence but as Additional Intelligence, being a powerful assistant that helps professionals do their jobs even better. That is the direction IMU is pursuing. No more, but certainly no less.
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