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Report finds 67% of global asset owners cite AI as top strategic priority. * By: Staff * October 16, 2026 * 15:00 Two-thirds (67 per cent) of global asset owners say artificial intelligence, including the use of agentic tools, has become their top strategic priority, according to a new report by WTW's Thinking Ahead Institute in partnership with MSCI Institute. The report, which drew on a global peer group of 20 asset owners managing more than US$5 trillion in assets, found AI ranks ahead of factors such as adapting to a higher inflationary environment (44 per cent), managing liquidity pressures (33 per cent) and responding to the growing role of private markets (28 per cent). Participants said they expect technology's contribution to investment outcomes to increase from roughly 17 per cent today to 30 per cent over the next three to five years. While participants expect AI to become deeply embedded in investment workflows, they also acknowledge that their existing skills, systems and operating models aren't yet equipped for the shift. The report concluded that human judgment, interpretation and accountability will remain essential, but the way investment work is organized will change significantly. It also noted governance is struggling to keep pace. Only 25 per cent of asset owners said they've made AI a standing board or investment committee agenda item, while 60 per cent said they review it only occasionally. The research suggests that governance will need to move beyond periodic oversight toward clear strategic ownership and accountability. Data remains the most significant practical barrier as three-quarters of participants cited data quality and standardization as a leading constraint on AI adoption. Legacy systems, organizational silos and spreadsheet-based processes are already placing pressure on resources, while the growing use of AI is increasing the need for reliable, trusted and accessible data.

WTW deepens commercial lines ICT bench with MGA underwriting veteran. Darrel Beaton joins from Effectus Insurance, where he served as chief underwriting officer for 16 years Oct 12, 2026 WTW has appointed Darrel Beaton (pictured) as director of underwriting within its insurance consulting and technology (ICT) business in North America, effective October 5. Beaton joins from Effectus Insurance Managers, a commercial lines managing general agent, where he spent 16 years as chief underwriting officer overseeing underwriting strategy, product development, and portfolio profitability across a broad range of commercial lines, according to his LinkedIn profile. Background and remit. Beaton brings more than 30 years of commercial underwriting experience, including earlier roles as senior director of product management at USAA and SVP of risk and product management at Advanced Insurance Management eSolutions, where he advised insurers, reinsurers, and MGA/MGUs on underwriting operations and product development. His career has run almost entirely through the program and specialty end of the market rather than standard admitted lines. The appointment is part of WTW's stated push to expand its ICT practice across commercial and specialty lines in North America, a segment the company has been building out alongside its more established personal lines advisory footprint. ICT advises insurers on underwriting strategy, pricing, portfolio management, and technology transformation, work that shapes how carriers select risks and structure their books across the commercial P&C market. Based in Austin, Texas, Beaton will report to Farah Ismail, head of commercial lines, North America at WTW, and will focus on expanding the firm's underwriting and product advisory propositions for commercial carrier clients. "His proven track record, technical underwriting expertise and deep understanding of specialist risks across the property and casualty market will be invaluable to our clients," Ismail said. WTW's ICT business operates across 35 markets with more than 1,700 staff, according to the company, serving over 1,000 insurers globally.