PremiumBytes

AI coding assistants are changing the software development conversation inside insurance. Not in theory. In practice. In this 33rd episode of PremiumBytes, hosts Sudhar and Samir look at how agentic AI is starting to reshape enterprise software delivery teams. The old model had clear lanes: business analysts, architects, tech leads, developers, QA analysts, release engineers, and support teams. Th...

The insurance industry is facing a growing talent crisis. But this time, it’s different. In this episode of PremiumBytes, hosts Sudhar Krishnamachary and Samir Ahmed unpack the forces reshaping the insurance workforce. From the accelerating retirement cliff to the lack of Gen Z interest, the talent pipeline is under real pressure. But that’s only part of the story. They explore the “tech talent pa...

BrokerTech is no longer a niche conversation. It’s becoming one of the most powerful forces reshaping insurance distribution. In this episode of PremiumBytes, hosts Sudhar and Samir break down the BrokerTech landscape and explain why carrier technology leaders can’t afford to ignore it. Drawing from firsthand conversations at InsureTech Connect and deep industry research, they walk through the key...

In this 30th episode of PremiumBytes episode, co-host Sudhar Krishnamachary takes us down the memory lane from the start of PremiumBytes two years ago to our most recent episode. As we wind down for the holidays at end of 2025 and look forward to new year 2026, we wanted to take a moment to look at the best of the 30 episodes of PremiumBytes. The conversation covers: Renewed interest in Enterprise...

In this 29th episode of PremiumBytes episode, host Samir Ahmed sat down with Nga Phan , Head of Product at bolt , live from ITC Vegas . They unpack bolt's new AI Quoting Assistant and what it means for agencies, carriers, and the broader distribution ecosystem. The conversation covers: Why quoting is still painfully manual How bolt automates carrier portals without APIs The balance between AI...

What if a brand-new insurance carrier started from scratch, without legacy systems, paper, or silos; just data, AI, and a mission to serve small business? In this episode of PremiumBytes , co-host Samir Ahmed sits down with Graham Topol , Co-Founder and Co-CEO of MGT Insurance , America’s first AI-native neo-insurer. Graham shares how MGT is reimagining small commercial insurance by building a ful...

In this 27th episode of PremiumBytes , host Samir Ahmed reported from ITC Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. He sat down with David Embry , CEO of Mylo , to talk about how the company is transforming insurance distribution with data, AI, and digital integration. Mylo is a digital insurance agency that focuses on small commercial and personal lines, using its proprietary Agent Hub and Mind of Mylo recommen...

ITC Vegas is back. And it's bigger than ever. In this 26th episode of PremiumBytes, host Samir Ahmed goes inside the world’s largest insurance innovation event with Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer, Bill Harris . Hear what’s new, how to plan your week, and why chance meetings at ITC often spark real deals. What’s inside: Expo “neighborhoods” for LATAM, Life/Health/Benefits, Distribution,...

Embedded insurance is everywhere — from travel protection at checkout to warranties on your latest gadget. But is it truly transforming the industry, or still just a niche add-on? In this 25th episode of PremiumBytes, hosts Sudhar Krishnamachary and Samir Ahmed dive deep into the real state of embedded insurance. They explore its history, from car dealerships bundling coverage decades ago to today...

In this 24th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir sit down with Renu Ann Joseph of Luminant Analytics to cut through the hype and show where quantum computing fits today for carriers and reinsurers. They cover a quick Quantum 101 (qubits, superposition, entanglement), why hardware dominates the conversation, and why commercialization is arriving first through hybrid ap...

In this 23rd episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir discuss observations and learnings from various news stories at the intersection of insurance and technology that they came across in the first quarter of 2025. Watch the episode to learn why: InsurTech Investment Momentum Is Back AI Is Dominating InsurTech Strategy Big Carriers Are Doubling Down on Digital Health Data...

In this 22nd episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir explore a topic that’s often seen as futuristic but may be closer than we think: quantum computing. They break down what it is, how it’s evolving, and why insurance tech leaders should start paying attention—now. From Microsoft’s recent quantum processor reveal to IBM’s roadmap and real-world experiments with insurers l...

In this 21st episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir discuss observations and learnings from various news stories at the intersection of insurance and technology that they came across in the fourth quarter of 2024. They dig into six key developments reshaping the insurance tech landscape. They break down IBM’s GenAI in Insurance report, explore how insurers are borrowing...

<p>In this 20th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir sit down with insurtech leader David Gritz to explore how MGAs are reshaping the insurance landscape. From their roles in underwriting and distribution to their symbiotic relationships with carriers, discover why MGAs are driving over $100 billion in premiums annually.</p? <ul> 💡 What you’ll learn: &l...

In this 19th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir explore a groundbreaking BCG report on AI adoption and maturity across industries. Learn why 98% of companies are experimenting with AI but only 4% are fully capitalizing on its value—and how insurance leaders can turn the tide. The conversation uncovers: The key traits of AI leaders in driving revenue and innovation. H...

In this 17th episode of the ⁠PremiumBytes video podcast⁠ , hosts Sudhar and Samir explore the exciting world of low-code/no-code platforms in the insurance industry! They discuss how these tools are transforming peripheral systems, enabling rapid innovation, and fostering citizen developers. They discuss Gartner’s latest findings, the evolving role of generative AI in low-code platforms, and the i...

In this 17th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast , hosts Sudhar and Samir revisit blockchain's impact on insurance, focusing on Infineo's recent efforts to tokenize policies and debut them on the Provenance blockchain platform. They break down what tokenization means, how Infineo's platform works, and the challenges of integrating this technology into the insurance industry. Is blockchain tr...

In this 15th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir tackle the strategic dilemmas insurance companies face with cloud adoption. They dive deep into why cloud decisions extend beyond IT, influencing business agility, cost structures, and innovation. They outline the spectrum of adoption from cloud-first to cloud-only and break down considerations for public vs. private cl...

In this 16th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir discuss observations and learnings from various news stories at the intersection of insurance and technology that they came across in the third quarter of 2024. The hosts didn't attend any conferences or insurance events in the summer, though identified several that are on their 2024-Q4 agenda. Conferences : On the conf...

In this 14th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir tackle one of the biggest questions facing insurance CIOs today: Is it time to move your legacy systems to the cloud? Join us as we dive deep into the modernization debate, exploring the pros and cons of cloud adoption, and the strategic decisions that come with it. From navigating talent shortages to managing the compl...

In this 13th episode of the PremiumBytes video podcast, hosts Sudhar and Samir discuss observations and learnings from various news stories at the intersection of insurance and technology that they came across in the second quarter of 2024. The hosts have also continued making the rounds at the Spring conferences and shared observations from the events they attended in 2024 Q2. Conferences : On th...

Blockchain in insurance—what's the real story? In this 12th episode of PremiumBytes, co-hosts Sudhar Krishnamachary and Samir Ahmed dive deep into the world of #blockchain technology and its impact on the insurance industry. Despite the initial hype, why has blockchain failed to gain significant traction? We explore the enduring relevance of blockchain, real-world examples of its application, and...

Welcome to Episode 11 of PremiumBytes, "The Next Frontier for Cyber Crime: Mid- to Small-size Insurers." This eye-opening episode explores the alarming rise of cyber threats targeting the insurance industry. Our special guest, Miguel Edwards, an award-winning technology leader with over 20 years of experience in operations management, technology modernization, and cybersecurity, shares his invalua...

In this 10th episode of PremiumBytes, hosts Sudhar Krishnamachary and Samir Ahmed explore the evolving landscape of cyber insurance. Discover the unique challenges and opportunities that tech leaders face in this rapidly growing field. From the technical sophistication required for cyber insurance products to the strategic role of tech leaders in product development, underwriting, and risk managem...

In this 9th episode of PremiumBytes, we dive deep into the critical issue of #cybersecurity for insurance tech leaders. Hosts Sudhar Krishnamachary and Samir Ahmed discuss the increasing frequency of #cyberattacks, highlighting notable incidents like the MOVEit and SolarWinds breaches. They introduce a practical four-part framework—#readiness, #resiliency, #response, and #recovery—to help insuranc...