Manulife's AI Leadership: Tops in Life Insurance Maturity Ranking
On June 23, 2025, Manulife Financial Corporation proudly announced its achievement of being named the number one life insurance company for artificial intelligence (AI) maturity in the inaugural Evident AI Index for Insurance. In addition to this honor, the company demonstrated its exceptional performance by ranking within the top five across all insurance sectors, and it is one of only three firms to make the top 10 in every evaluated category.
Phil Witherington, President and CEO of Manulife, expressed immense pride in this recognition. He noted, "We were an early adopter of AI and have invested years embedding it throughout our operations to produce meaningful outcomes." In a marketplace now experiencing a significant shift in AI adoption, this accolade reaffirms Manulife's commitment to drive tangible growth, heightened productivity, and enhanced financial performance through the responsible application of AI solutions.
The Evident AI Index evaluates AI maturity across 30 leading insurance companies in North America and Europe, targeting four essential categories: Talent, Innovation, Leadership, and Transparency. This pioneering index, developed by the AI benchmarking platform Evident, offers an extensive overview of AI integration within the insurance sector, covering various types including life, property, casualty, composite, and reinsurance.
Jodie Wallis, Manulife's Global Chief AI Officer, commented on the depth of AI's integration within the company, stating, "We've woven AI into our core operations globally, delivering meaningful results through responsible implementations that have a tangible impact on our clients and employees." This strategic focus on AI is underscored by their Responsible AI Principles, which guide investments and projects across diverse markets.
Manulife showcased notable strengths in the Leadership and Transparency categories, bolstered by endorsement from executive leadership and significant resource allocation toward AI initiatives. Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Co-CEO and Co-founder of Evident, remarked, "As the top life insurer for AI maturity, Manulife sets a standard for the industry with its exceptional growth in AI capabilities." She highlighted that this strong showing is a direct result of the company's sustained investment over multiple years.
Karen Leggett, Global Chief Marketing Officer, emphasized the transformative power of AI within Manulife, indicating that their efforts in this arena are revolutionizing their business operations and delivering value to numerous facets of the organization. Manulife anticipates that its digital initiatives, including AI-powered advancements, will yield a threefold return on investment by 2027. By the end of 2024, they expect to realize over $600 million worth of improvements from these digital leadership efforts globally.
Looking ahead, Manulife is committed to maintaining its momentum within the AI landscape. Wallis is scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion to launch the Evident AI Insurance Index on June 24, 2025. For those interested in the intersection of AI and insurance, attendance via online registration is encouraged.
To explore more about Manulife's advancements in AI, individuals can visit their dedicated webpage at manulife.com/AI. The detailed Evident AI Index report, along with its methodology, can be accessed at evidentinsights.com/insurance-ai-index.
Despite this optimistic outlook, the company acknowledges the inherent risks associated with forward-looking statements related to digital capabilities and their expected benefits. Manulife advises stakeholders to be mindful of possible factors that could lead to actual outcomes differing from what is envisioned.
In conclusion, this recognition solidifies Manulife's reputation as a pioneering force in the life insurance sector’s AI landscape, showcasing its steadfast commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.