Manulife Recognized as Leading Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident
On June 23, 2025, Manulife Financial Corporation received top honors in the inaugural Evident AI Index for Insurance, being recognized as the leading life insurance company in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) maturity. This prestigious rank places Manulife among the top five insurance companies overall, a testament to its commitment to leveraging AI in its operations.
Phil Witherington, the CEO of Manulife, expressed immense pride in this recognition. He stated, “We are honored to be acknowledged by Evident for our leadership in AI. We have embraced AI early on and have systematically integrated it into our operations, yielding significant results.” This recognition comes at a time when the insurance industry witnesses a pivotal shift in the adoption of AI technologies. Witherington emphasizes that Manulife is on the right path, driving tangible growth, productivity enhancements, and financial improvements through disciplined AI deployment.
The Evident AI Index assesses the AI maturity of thirty leading insurance companies across North America and Europe, focusing on four key categories: Talent, Innovation, Leadership, and Transparency. This index covers a variety of sectors within the insurance industry, including life, property, casualty, composite, and reinsurance, providing a comprehensive benchmark of AI capabilities in the field.
Jodie Wallis, Manulife's global head of AI, noted that this award reflects how deeply entrenched AI is within the company. “We've embedded AI into the core of our global operations and are achieving notable outcomes that positively impact both our customers and colleagues,” she shared. Wallis reiterated that the commitment to responsible and practical AI use is evident in the results produced.
Manulife excelled in the areas of Leadership and Transparency, showcasing the strong backing and enthusiasm from its executives and strategic investments in AI solutions that align with the company’s Responsible AI Principles. Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Co-CEO and co-founder of Evident, commented, “Our index recognizes insurers that consistently enhance their AI capabilities, setting benchmarks for the industry as a whole.” She acknowledged Manulife's exceptional performance, particularly in Leadership and Transparency, as a testament to the company's long-standing investments in AI.
Karen Leggett, the global marketing leader at Manulife, highlighted that this accolade reaffirms their commitment to deploying AI at scale. “Our position in the Evident AI Index confirms that our AI initiatives are transforming our operations, developing solutions that add value across multiple areas of our business while enabling our customers to lead longer, healthier, and more prosperous lives,” she emphasized.
Looking ahead, Manulife anticipates that its digital investments and capabilities, including AI-driven enhancements, will yield a threefold capital return over the next five years, with over $600 million in benefits projected for 2024 as a result of its global digital customer engagement initiatives. Wallis is set to participate in a panel discussion on the launch of the Evident AI Insurance Index on June 24, 2025, where interested parties can register for virtual attendance online.
For detailed insights on Manulife's progress in the AI realm, visit manulife.com/AI. The full Evident AI Index report, along with its methodology, is also accessible through Evident's platform.
In summary, Manulife’s recognition as the top life insurer for AI maturity underscores its proactive approach in integrating advanced technologies into the insurance landscape. As the industry evolves, companies like Manulife are paving the way for innovative solutions that enhance the customer experience while driving operational efficiencies.