Sabine VanderLinden's Linkedin Analytics

🌟 Shaping the #FutureofInsurance: Reflections from Insurtech Insights 2025 💫 On 20 March, I had the privilege of sitting down with Marina Belezina, Aviva’s Group Director of Strategy and Innovation, during a fireside chat at #ITIEU2025. The session, titled "Shaping Tomorrow's Insurance: Aviva's Human-Centered Approach to Generative AI," was nothing short of inspiring. Marina shared Aviva's ambitious vision for integrating #GenAI across its operations, all while staying deeply rooted in human values and customer-centricity. Her leadership, backed by two decades of experience, has driven a three-horizon strategy for AI integration: 1️⃣ Enhance efficiency in current processes through AI tools. 2️⃣ Transform core operations with innovative use cases. 3️⃣ Reimagine the future with an AI-enabled workforce, automated operations, and personalized customer experiences. 💥 One standout example? Aviva's GenAI-powered claims summarization tool. It has already reduced call-handling time by 10%, helping agents resolve issues faster and engage more meaningfully with customers. It's a testament to how technology can enhance—not replace—human empathy in serving customers. But what truly resonated with me was Aviva’s people-first approach to #AIAdoption. From equipping employees with tools like Microsoft Copilot to fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation through hackathons and training programs, Aviva is empowering its workforce to embrace AI as a partner. Beyond internal transformation, Aviva is also building a robust ecosystem of partnerships. A stellar example is their work with Fabric, a start-up using AI for pension tracing—an idea incubated through Aviva's partnership with Founders Factory that has since become a cornerstone in their wealth business. Marina's thoughtful perspective on responsible AI deployment struck a chord as well. In her words: "Our focus is on augmenting human capabilities, not replacing them. AI should enhance our ability to deliver empathetic, personalized service to our customers." As Aviva continues to scale GenAI adoption in the next 12-24 months, it’s clear the strategy and innovation team is setting a benchmark for how companies can embrace cutting-edge technology while staying true to their core values. 🚀 The future of insurance is not just about technology. It is indeed about people, purpose, and partnerships. With leaders like Marina driving this vision, the possibilities are endless. Let us know what you think about our conversation. 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/ev8fwNrd

🌟 Corporate Venture Capital (CVC): Stability or Transformation? 💫 On one of my latest episode of #ScoutingforGrowth, I sat down with Scott Gunther from Firemark Ventures to unpack how CVCs are navigating the evolving venture landscape in 2024 and beyond. One key takeaway? While traditional #VC has been riding waves of volatility, #CVC investment has remained surprisingly resilient. 💡 Some corporate investors are doubling down, raising fresh capital and cementing their strategic bets. Others are retreating, shutting down funds and recalibrating their innovation playbook. This divergence raises a critical question: What defines a successful CVC strategy in today’s market? 🔹 Is it purely financial returns, or does real success lie in aligning investments with core business objectives? 🔹 How should corporates think about long-term innovation in a world where agility is king? 🔹 And what role does CVC play in future-proofing industries like fintech, insurtech, and beyond? Scott and I explored all of this—and more—cutting through the noise to get to the heart of what’s next. If you’re in corporate venturing, investing, or innovation leadership, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎧 Catch the full episode where Scott breaks this down for you: On Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/ep6TiSks On Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eqJrdQpC Are you seeing CVCs lean in or pull back?

Ever wonder what the next generation of military aircraft might look like? Well I was intrigued when I saw the video below and checked! It looks like that with fiberglass and advanced composite materials making waves in both civilian and defense sectors, it’s intriguing to imagine militaries pushing this technology even further. Let’s face it: lightweight materials can improve agility, cut fuel costs, and boost aircraft durability. But while the allure of fiberglass is real—particularly for stealth and reduced maintenance—we can’t ignore a few critical concerns: 1️⃣ Cost vs. Benefit: Composite materials can be expensive to produce and repair. Will the performance gains offset these potential high costs? 2️⃣ Operational Readiness: Military platforms must handle extreme conditions—think desert heat or sub-zero temps. Can fiberglass composites really hold up under the stress? 3️⃣ Environmental Footprint: Defense needs are obviously mission-critical, but we must still weigh the sustainability factor. How will recycling and lifecycle assessments evolve for composite parts? I am sure like any sector today, it is an exciting time for aviation, with innovative materials inspiring new tactics and strategies. Yet the questions of feasibility, scalability and sustainability remain I think. As R&D ramps up, staying informed and critically evaluating these developments will help us navigate what truly works—and what might just be hype. 😊 Redefining capabilities maybe… military grade airplanes-> not sure this is feasible by 2032. cc: #upscaleluxury

👩🏽‍💻 Are you attending #ITIEU2025? If not... Make sure you do so! 👇🏼 I had one of those “aha!” moments during my recent prep discussion with my Insurtech Insights panelists on #DigitalTransformation in #CommercialInsurance. These great minds include: 👏🏽 Jörg Bertogg Group COO, Commercial lines from Zurich Insurance 👏🏽 Matthieu Caillat COO at AXA XL 👏🏽 Marc Scheidegger CCO at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions 👏🏽 Magdalena Ramada Sarasola, PhD Global InsurTech Innovation Leader WTW 🤔 Very high-level snippets from our chat: 1️⃣ Are technology and data both the most potent catalysts reshaping our industry?... Whether it's reinventing the claims process, reimagining underwriting, or creating a truly augmented customer experience. 2️⃣ Will the "human in the loop” always be our secret sauce—or could it eventually become our biggest limitation? 💫 If you want to know more... Make sure to join us for a discussion that promises to be energizing to challenge old paradigms and spark ideas on how we can continuously evolve without sacrificing that human element. MY QUESTION: Do you want to hear these perspectives and determine how digital transformation will redefine your role or organization in commercial insurance? 🌟 Join us at ITIEU next week on: 📅 Thursday 20th March ⏰ 2:05 pm 📍Main Stage. https://lnkd.in/e_STaHaC If you still want a ticket to attend, you can use my code: ALCHEMY25 for your last-minute discount.

🌍 Tariffs Just Got Real: What This Week’s Moves Mean for the Global Economy 💫 You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve felt the market tremble. The S&P 500 experienced a historical decline, erasing ~ $5 trillion in market value. The Nasdaq Composite dropped over 20 percent from its recent highs. But let’s get under the skin of what’s really happening. This week’s sweeping tariff hikes—ranging from 10% to 50%—have created a financial shockwave. Aimed at major trading blocs like China, the EU, and Japan, these “reciprocal tariffs” are designed to level the playing field. In theory! But here’s the truth: Tariffs are taxes. Plain and simple. And they don’t just hit the exporters. They hit everyone. 🔺 Consumers pay more – Imported goods become expensive. Think electronics, cars, raw materials. That hits purchasing power. Inflation rises. 🔺 Businesses face uncertainty – Input costs soar. Supply chains get disrupted. Strategic planning becomes reactive. 🔺 Global retaliation looms – One tariff triggers another. It’s a domino effect. Suddenly, you’re not just in a trade negotiation—you’re in a trade war. 🔺 Growth stalls – Less trade = less productivity. Tariffs may protect a few, but they cost many. Especially in emerging economies that rely on exports. Beside the underlying note of protectionism, the result is global fragmentation. And in an era where global challenges require global cooperation, it’s a step in the wrong direction. 💡 For leaders in financial services, insurance, and technology—now is the time to scenario-plan. Tariffs don’t just move goods—they move markets, risk models, and long-term value strategies. Credits: Walter Masterson

🌟 Simple truth: Most businesses today are trying to run tomorrow's challenges with yesterday's tools. 💫 I left the recent SAP #BusinessUnleashed Launch inspired and reassured that the future of business is in our hands—when we harness the right technology. Every finance, operational, and HR executive can start this transformation journey. Here's a story for you to consider: Sarah Chen re-discovered #SAPBusinessSuite with its integrated platform and #JouleAI assistant. Her company shifted from getting bogged down by repetitive tasks to making strategic, data-driven decisions in real-time—from factory floor insights in Singapore to inventory levels in Brazil. She feels that she is now empowered to drive true innovation: 📍 Real-Time Visibility: Imagine having an operations dashboard that monitors your processes and predicts challenges before they occur. 📍 Proactive Supply Chain Management: Imagine pivoting to alternative suppliers in the blink of an eye when facing a crisis. 📍 Employee Empowerment: Automation isn’t about replacing people. It’s indeed about freeing teams to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and customer engagement. What really struck me is the notion that the future isn’t something that just happens—it’s something we create together by leveraging intelligent systems, predictive analytics, and a bold vision for digital transformation. Enjoy the replay https://bit.ly/3WwVAnv #SAP2025 #ERPReimagined

🌟  Meet ARI: The #DeepResearch Model Built for Gen Z Thinkers 💫 #GenZ doesn’t just consume content—they challenge it, curate it, and expect brands to deliver timely, purposeful, transparent, and authentic solutions. Last week, I had the opportunity to trial ARI You.com's most recent deep research model, designed to cut through the noise and deliver smarter insights faster. 💡 Here’s why ARI is an interesting model to trial: ✅ No fluff—Get well-thought-out, credible insights in seconds. ✅ Personalized to you—ARI adapts to your unique goals. ✅ Built on trust—Transparency at its core because you should not settle for less, with all links and citations attached for you to check, evaluate, and question to augment your argument. 💥 How to make the most of ARI? 1️⃣ Be specific—sharp questions yield sharper answers. 2️⃣ Explore deeply—challenge the results and own your decisions. 3️⃣ Use ARI as your creative partner—brainstorm, plan, and execute. Whether you’re a student, professional, or innovator, it looks like ARI is here to help you work smarter, think bigger, and create faster. Here is the report I produced in a few seconds with just a targeted prompt. #FutureOfWork

🌟 Ready to Flip the Script on #AI? 💫 Was catching up with the EY team about the recent MWC Barcelona and here’s the headline: AI isn’t just coming—it’s already rewriting the playbook. We just need to be mindful to do this right! From #agenticAI to #5G-powered connectivity, the pace is dizzying, but the message from #EY is clear: you can’t do this alone. We’re past the era of silo-thinking, #collaboration is the new gold standard—startups injecting agility, enterprises bringing scale. The result? #EthicalAI solutions that win trust, drive innovation, and keep you firmly on the right side of regulation. Senior leaders, if you’re shaping an ethical AI roadmap: 📌  Partner smartly—startups are fueling the future, but they need your scale. 📌  Stay human—invest in digital literacy so your people thrive alongside AI. 📌  Earn trust—customers won’t buy (or believe) what they can’t trust. Check out my latest article on EY’s final MWC takeaways—your “decoder ring” for forging a responsible AI path. It is time to keep AI transformative, not terrifying! 👇🏽

I am sure you already know that SAP dropped new capabilities linked with #SAPJoule, and no—this isn't another chatbot. 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3WwVAnv It’s #SAP’s answer to the #GenAI arms race—an #EnterpriseAI grade solution. Joule isn't here to chat. It’s here to cut through the enterprise chaos from finance to ops passing by HR. Forget endless dashboards, forgotten BI reports, or that one ops person who holds all the keys. I gather that Joule is designed to embed intelligence into the flow of work—not add another layer of digital noise. Here's what caught my attention: 💥 Joule doesn't just extract data. It interprets enterprise signals across HR, finance and supply chain—and then tells you what matters, why it matters, and what to do next. In other words: It speaks the CEO language, not code. 💥 Now, before the skeptics raise the red flags (and rightly so)—yes, this kind of intelligence can empower decision-making, but it will also expose every inefficiency lurking in your system. And this starts with your data! 🤔 Think about it: when GenAI starts pointing out systemic gaps in your procurement logic or your ESG reporting fragility... will your teams lean in or cover-up? SAP is betting that enterprises are finally ready to get honest. I know some are—particularly the #Fortune500, which I catch up with most days. Still, I'm betting most aren't. Not yet. But the ones who are? They'll build trust, not just tech stacks. Make sure to dive into my two articles 👇🏼and check the webinar replay 👆🏽 1️⃣ https://lnkd.in/e25B3Wnu 2️⃣ https://lnkd.in/eA9HSw2n

🌟 Are you ready for Reuters Events Insurance #USA 2025 💫 Like many of you, I’m looking forward to attending and then (yes) moderating Reuters Events: The Future of Insurance USA 2025 this June! Join me and 500+ industry peers in Chicago to ensure people, processes, and products are fully optimized in the face of global disruption.      #FOIUSA will cover future strategy & industry trends, new technologies, product innovation, customer experience and more. As we're connected on LinkedIn, you can register today with a $200 discount – use code SPEAKER200 when booking here: https://bit.ly/3GmKgkX  I look forward to seeing you in Chicago in June 👏🏽

🚀 #ScalingInsurance: Smarter, Not Just Bigger! Insurance growth isn't just about adding headcount or acquiring new business lines—it's about #strategicsynergies. How do insurers break silos, scale innovation, and expand across markets without losing momentum? At Insurtech Insights 2025, I'm hosting a powerhouse panel where industry leaders will unpack: ✅ Venture client models – How insurers & startups co-create at scale ✅ Innovation at scale – Bridging legacy systems with cutting-edge tech ✅ Strategic partnerships & M&A – Scaling without sacrificing agility Our expert panel includes: 🔥 Bessem Ayari from ERGO Group AG –> Driving innovation with startup collaborations 🔥 Frank Perkins from inari.io – Transforming MGA scaling with tech 🔥 Carloaugusto Mironici from Generali – Scaling #GeneraliVitality's wellbeing proposition across Europe 🔥 Oscar Holloway from Clear Group – M&A strategies that fuel sustainable growth Don't expect another corporate buzzword fest—expect real stories, hard-learned lessons, and a dash of humor, too! If scaling smarter is on your agenda, don't miss this! 👉🏽 Join us 📅 March 20th ⏰ 12:05 PM Let’s talk strategy, synergy, and scaling the right way! WE ALL look forward to seeing you there. https://lnkd.in/e_STaHaC #ITIEU2025 #InnovationAtScale

🌟 Most lists are predictable. This one isn't! 💫 This is not a roundup. It's a recognition. I've interviewed many experts, thought leaders and executives on the #ScoutingforGrowth podcast. Today, I would like to highlight 10 minds who are doing more than talking about innovation in tech, finance and insurance—they're living it. From digital empathy to climate risk, generative AI to inclusion, these women are shifting the ground beneath us. Quietly for some. Boldly for others. But always with purpose. Each of them holds a unique superpower that our industry desperately needs more of. I've just dropped a full newsletter 👇🏼 —thoughtful, punchy, and honest. It's not about celebrating women because it's March (ending.) It's about acknowledging who's already leading—and who decision-makers need to bring closer to the table. 🎯 This one's for every CxO hunting for sustainable, tech-driven growth. 🔍 It is also for every board scanning the horizon and still missing the obvious. 💡 It is then for every innovator tired of hearing the same old voices... 1️⃣ Read the full spotlight 👇 2️⃣ Listen to their voices 🎧 Thank you Anna Bojic, Carolina Klint Denise Garth Marinela Profi Theodora Lau Dawn Herndon Sri Ramaswamy Magdalena Ramada Sarasola, PhD Nicole Peck Karrie Sullivan 👏🏽

🌟 Is #InsurTech Dead? Or Are We Just Getting Started? 💫 Sitting down with Danilo Raponi, Group Head of Innovation at Generali, on #ScoutingforGrowth, we tackled one of the biggest questions floating around InsurTech circles: Has InsurTech run out of steam? The short answer? Not even close. At Insurtech Insights yesterday, the conversations were buzzing around where investment and growth stand—a perfect continuation of my discussion with Danilo as we move to day 2 of the conference at the O2 today, where Generali has a massive stage in front of the conference center. Yes, we’re in a more cautious investment climate, but insurance technology is evolving, embedding itself deeper into the insurance value chain. The next wave is about real impact, not just hype. 🔥 The Real Risks (And Opportunities): What’s shaping the future of insurance? We talked about two significant forces: 🌀 Climate risk: It's the biggest challenge of our time. But it’s also driving innovation—early fire detection systems, resilient building materials, and predictive modeling are changing how insurers assess and manage risk. 🤖 Generative AI & misinformation: AI is a double-edged sword. It’s improving efficiency, but it also amplifies misinformation, creating new systemic risks that insurers—and regulators—must address. 🤝 The Power of Partnerships: Public-private collaborations remain difficult but essential. Insurers and policymakers must align on goals, even if their motivations differ. Parametric insurance is gaining traction as a way to tackle previously uninsurable risks. 🌍 A Purpose-Driven Future: The insurance industry has always been a cornerstone of economic resilience—think back to the Venetian merchants. But today’s younger generation wants purpose-driven work. Innovation is cool, but when it’s coupled with impact—helping communities recover from disasters and supporting sustainable infrastructure—it becomes a true talent magnet. 🔮 The Next Chapter: Danilo put it best: “Generali is a 200-year-old startup.” The key to survival? Adaptation, innovation, and humility. The biggest risks facing the world today are also the biggest opportunities for insurers—if they’re willing to step up. InsurTech isn’t dead. It’s maturing. And those who stay ahead of the curve will shape the next era of insurance. Enjoy the #ITIEU25, thank you Danilo and 🎧 listen to the full episode on: 🍏 Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/e-g3fter 📍 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eu5iqVGp What do you think? Where should insurance leaders be placing their bets today?

🌐 What does it take to deploy #AI Safely? 💫 As part of our deep dive and discussions on #EYMicrosoft Alliance, Dan Diasio, EY's Global #AI Leader and I explored how enterprises can deploy AI safely to protect both employees and customers. 💥 Here are the key takeaways: 📍 Accountability: Ensure clear accountability in AI systems. Every AI deployment should have designated individuals responsible for its outcomes and ethical use. 📍 Fairness and Bias: AI systems should strive to eliminate biases. This involves regular audits and updates to ensure fairness and prevent discrimination against any segment or group. 📍 Comprehensive Understanding: It's crucial to have a thorough understanding of the AI technologies being used and their nuances. This means ongoing education and training for all stakeholders involved in AI deployment. By adhering to these principles, enterprises can leverage AI responsibly and effectively, creating safer and more equitable environments for all. How are you shaping your governance measures to help with #AIsafety? https://go.ey.com/3BYgvss In the end, make sure that you know what you are doing!

🤔 Tired of measuring project success by the number of lines of code? So is Ivete Ferreira. 👉🏽 https://go.ey.com/3BYgvss The real current underlying transformation is moving from “coding per hour” to “brain per hour.” Because let's face it: throwing more developers at a problem doesn't always guarantee a breakthrough solution. The EY + Microsoft #Alliance is flipping the script—monetizing collective expertise, not just code. By combining deep business insight with top-tier technology, it's no longer about how many lines you can write but how much value you can deliver. This approach empowers organizations to truly innovate, differentiate, and build long-term partnerships that thrive in today's fast-paced market. Why settle for a coding marathon when you can make every hour of brainpower count? They say time is money, but it sure helps when those hours come packed with genuine industry expertise and a dash of inspired problem-solving. BUCKLE-UP because #brainperhour is about to become the new measure of success! 🙂 #Partnership #Monetization #EYMicrosoft

🌟 Have you ever had that “Uh-oh, where do I find a doctor in the middle of my beach getaway?” moment? 💫 In my recent interview with Anna Bojic, co-founder and CEO Boss of Miss Moneypenny Technologies, she explained how their collaboration with ERGO Group AG is turning these panicky moments into smooth-sailing travel tales. Anna shared a brilliant case study that tackles every jet-setter’s worst nightmare: getting sick abroad. Their solution? An easy-to-use digital #emergencycard that connects travelers with doctors (and handles billing, too!). It’s basically like having your own personal travel safety net that’s always ready to swoop in—minus the drama. The best part? They’re doing it by leveraging existing partners (hello, Air Doctor!) and seamlessly integrating it all with ERGO Group AG’s services. Translation: you don’t have to dig up a third cousin’s friend’s number to find care. You just whip out your phone, and "voilà", help is on the way! Whether you’re catching flights for business or pleasure, technology like this is transforming engagement with customers. If you want to see how innovation and collaboration are shaking up the insurance world—and making travel less stressful—definitely check out the full interview with Anna on #ScoutingforGrowth. 🍏 Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/evCzYeq7 📍Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eCThm8PB You’ll never look at an “emergency card” the same way again! 😉 Stay safe, stay covered, and happy travels! ERGO's #ScaleHub facilitates just that... And say "Hi" to Joanna Schröder Bessem Ayari Dennis Denuel Vanessa Lange Elisabeth Inhester Gioacchino Aquilino Ella Heising TechHub.K67 The Office of Economic Development Düsseldorf 👏🏽

🌟 When #AI meets #Ghibli: Whimsy or Warning Sign? 🎨 #OpenAI’s new Studio Ghibli-style image generator is going viral—and it’s easy to see why. The nostalgic dreamscapes, hand-drawn warmth, and childlike wonder of Miyazaki’s world now rendered in seconds by machine. I could not resist to try 👇🏽 Stunning? Yes. But also… unsettling. This is more than aesthetic novelty. It’s another sharp pivot in the #creativeeconomy. AI isn't just replicating art—it’s repackaging cultural legacy into synthetic outputs. The questions I’m asking: 📍 Whose style is it to mimic? Ghibli’s magic was built over decades. Do artists get credit—or compensation—when models are trained on their work? 📍 What happens to imagination? Will Gen Z creators rely on prompts, not pencils? 📍 And what of ethics in automation? We’re glamorizing a tool that blurs inspiration and imitation without rules of engagement. ➕ There’s potential here—yes—for storytelling, education, even mental health. ➖ But there’s also risk. Risk of dilution, of theft masked as innovation, of sidelining the very humans whose ideas trained the machines. I am absolutely fascinated by AI's potential. I build with it. I commercialize it. As I was talking with friends last night and this morning, I also had to interrogate it. Because if we don’t ask hard questions now, we’ll be answering to consequences later. 👀 Have you tried the new Ghibli-style generator? 💭 Impressed? Concerned? Both? 👇 Drop your thoughts. cc: Sebastien Gaudin Alan Martin Insurtech Insights