As Florida lawmakers prepare to tackle the complexities of artificial intelligence, state Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky is urging the Legislature to ensure regulators can look under the hood of AI systems used by insurance carriers.
Speaking to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week, Yaworsky stressed that while he does not oppose innovation, “responsible AI governance is crucial.”
He argued for policies that require companies to disclose when AI is in use and to maintain a “human in the loop” with the expertise to explain the system’s decisions.
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Yaworsky highlighted the urgency with a concerning anecdote about a health insurance company that recently submitted a rate filing based on an “off-the-shelf” AI solution. When state actuaries asked how the mechanism worked, the company’s response was simply, “We don’t know.”
Legislators are already moving to close these gaps. Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) and Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) have filed identical bills (HB 527 and SB 202) that would mandate human involvement in any decision to deny an insurance claim.
The push for regulation comes as House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) declared the week of Dec. 8 “Artificial Intelligence Week.” In a memo to lawmakers, Perez noted that while AI offers economic promise, the rapid emergence of the technology carries risks similar to those seen with social media.
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However, the insurance industry maintains that existing rules are sufficient. Paul Martin, representing the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, told a House panel in October that AI is merely a tool.
“If a practice is prohibited for a human to do on behalf of an insurance company, it is prohibited for AI to do,” Martin said.
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