Does AI Change the Build vs. Buy Equation for Life Carriers?

By InsurTech Express - 7 October 2026

AI is making it easier for companies to build technology internally. But for life insurance carriers, the more important question may not be whether something can be built, but whether it should be.

As AI lowers some of the barriers to development, the build-versus-buy decision is becoming more complex. Speed, cost, scalability, integration, maintenance, and competitive differentiation all remain important considerations.

On October 19, 2026, InsurTech Express will host a LinkedIn Live conversation with Cindy De Armond, Chief Revenue Officer at Bestow, and Chad Hersh, Head of AI Solutions at Bestow, exploring how AI is reshaping decisions for life carriers.

The discussion will focus on where internal development can create meaningful strategic value, where partnering with specialized technology providers may make more sense, and how carriers can think more deliberately about technology ownership in an increasingly AI-enabled environment.

What We’ll Explore

Why “we can build anything with AI” doesn’t automatically mean a carrier should, and how to tell the difference
Where AI-built prototypes genuinely hold up, and where they break down between an impressive demo and a production-grade, regulated system
What carriers consistently get right, and wrong, when deciding whether to build or buy a given capability
How to separate a true competitive differentiator from undifferentiated heavy lifting, and why that distinction matters more as AI lowers the cost of building
Practical decision considerations carriers can apply directly to their next build-vs-buy call

Why This Conversation Matters

The conversation around AI in insurance has quickly moved beyond experimentation. Carriers are now considering how AI fits into core technology strategy, operating models, product development, distribution, underwriting, service, and broader digital transformation initiatives.

At the same time, the ability to build faster does not necessarily remove the long-term considerations that come with owning technology internally. Questions about infrastructure, governance, integration, ongoing maintenance, specialized expertise, and business differentiation remain central to the decision.

The build-versus-buy conversation therefore becomes less about technology capability alone and more about where a carrier should invest its internal resources to create the greatest strategic advantage.