The Institutes Knowledge Group's new 2026 Skills Report says insurance organizations are placing greater emphasis on AI literacy, claims expertise, and leadership skills as the industry adapts to workforce turnover and rapidly changing technology. The report found strong demand for education in claims management, insurance fundamentals, and risk management, while also warning that technical skills are becoming obsolete faster due to advances in AI and automation.
For claims professionals, the report predicts AI will increasingly handle administrative tasks such as claims intake, documentation, and fraud detection, shifting adjusters toward more strategic responsibilities involving customer communication, critical thinking, and oversight of AI-generated outputs. The Institutes said organizations that combine technical training with soft skills development and continuous learning will be better positioned to retain talent and prepare employees for leadership roles.
The report also highlights growing demand for specialized expertise in cyber risk, catastrophe response, predictive analytics, and data literacy. At the same time, soft skills such as communication, ethics, collaboration, and leadership are expected to become increasingly valuable as insurers look for employees who can adapt alongside new technology.
