How Insurers Can Integrate AI Without Replacing Legacy Systems

Modernizing for AI doesn't mean replacing everything — so how can insurers integrate it step by step?

In this episode of Pilot to Production, Michael Hertzig, Vice President of Myridius, joins Nick Rockwell, Growth and Market Strategist at StitchStudio, to explore the lessons learned from 25 years of insurance modernization and how they apply to today’s AI transformation.

Michael breaks down the three keys to crossing the AI chasm: start with a clear business problem, layer AI onto existing systems, and keep humans in the loop for critical decisions.

He shares why insurers don’t need massive legacy overhauls, and how a prove-then-scale approach helps organizations gain trust, improve accuracy, and accelerate impact without disrupting core systems.

From underwriting to claims, this conversation shows how insurers can adopt AI incrementally, safely, and in ways that generate measurable business value.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How the last 25 years of modernization created today’s foundation for AI
• Why business-first problem selection drives successful AI adoption
• How insurers can add AI to legacy systems using APIs and modern layers
• Why a prove-then-scale approach beats a multi-year AI roadmap
• Practical AI use cases improving underwriting, claims, and operations

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TIMESTAMPS:‍

00:00 – Intro to the Pilot to Production Series

‍01:17 – Insurance Modernization of the Last 25 Years

‍02:47 – Three Keys to Crossing the AI Chasm

‍04:50 – The Prove-Then-Scale AI Approach

‍08:16 – How to Integrate AI Without Legacy Overhaul

‍10:01 – Successful AI Use Cases and Their Impact

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CONNECT WITH US:

‍Connect with Michael Hertzig → / michael-hertzig-2060ab4

‍Connect with Nick Rockwell → / nick-rockwell-3567083