Shaping the Future of Insurance: Insights from the Qorus Innovation in Insurance Awards 2025
NTT DATA Partners with Qorus to Celebrate the Potential of Innovation and Disruptive Technologies in Insurance
The insurance industry is experiencing a tremendous seismic shift fueled by digital disruption, evolving customer expectations, and new risk paradigms. A majority of insurance leaders are looking to equip their organizations with emerging technologies and strategies to lead in this era of transformation.
With Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, SaaS, Blockchain, and Big Data dominating Insurtech investments in 2024, the focus is now on digital transformation and innovation to strengthen customer loyalty, improve service levels, achieve higher revenues, and drive cost efficiency.
In June 2025, NTT DATA had the privilege of sponsoring the Qorus Innovation in Insurance Awards in Warsaw to recognize and reward innovation across the insurance landscape. The event showcased new frontiers in insurance and facilitated connections with a global network of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists. As a partner of this prestigious event and a leader in global insurance innovation, NTT DATA had the unique opportunity to contribute and learn from one of the most dynamic stages for industry transformation.
1. Event Overview
Currently in its 10th edition, the Qorus Innovation in Insurance Awards has evolved into one of the industry's most respected recognition programs worldwide. It celebrates the people and ideas that are reshaping the future of insurance - not just through technology, but through visionary thinking and execution.
In 2025, the program scaled new heights with 272 project submissions from 146 organizations across 49 countries, 77,000+ public votes, and inputs from 35 distinguished industry jurors. These numbers reflect a growing momentum across the industry to rethink operating models, processes, and investments. Innovation in insurance is no longer optional, it's urgent, collaborative, and global.
The industry is at a turning point where leaders are driven to reinvent operations around data, AI, and ecosystems; reflected across the key themes and award-winning entries this year:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI)
- Embedded Insurance and B2B2C models
- Cross-industry ecosystems and tech-enabled partnerships
- Sustainability and social impact
- Data monetization and behavioral underwriting
The event attracted participants from across the globe including strong representation from Japan and Taiwan. With an electrifying atmosphere, the discussions carefully balanced curiosity, intellectual generosity, and real-world urgency.
2. NTT DATA's Message to Insurance Leaders
As the lead sponsor of this year's ceremony, NTT DATA reaffirmed its commitment to being the insurer's partner on their journey to digital and strategic transformation.
Carlos Ordóñez, Vice President of Global Insurance Innovation & Marketing, NTT DATA delivered a keynote on 'Tech-Driven Transformation: A Strategic Outlook for Insurance Leaders,' sharing comprehensive insights on data readiness, process redesign for AI adoption, and ethical applications of GenAI.
His views on technology adoption and the refocus strategy for insurers echoed across other sessions and panels:
Firstly, "AI is not the destination, but the enabler," its value lies in solving real pain points - for customers, agents, and underwriters alike.
"Don't believe in tech for tech." Innovation is about delivering clarity and value through human-centric solutions.
"Transformation requires cultural alignment." It requires resilient leadership, mindset shifts, and an operating model that embraces agility.
Carlos emphasized the power of open innovation across insurers, insurtechs, technology providers, and regulators. "Collaboration is the new competitive edge."
Most importantly, he reinforced the need for insurers to collaborate with partners who understand both the technology and the business reality of insurance.
3. Key Outcomes
NTT DATA's association with Qorus enabled a deeper exchange of knowledge on recent trends across the insurance landscape along with the digital tools and strategies needed to stay competitive and relevant.
Presentations from other industry leaders expanded the understanding of how innovation is being implemented on a global scale. Carlos' keynote and NTT DATA's involvement as a sponsor further solidified our position as a trusted innovation partner, showcasing our commitment to driving purposeful transformation and making real-world impact.
Additionally, the event helped establish and strengthen relationships with top executives, digital experts, and solution partners, paving the way for strategic collaboration in content creation, product development, and various new initiatives.
The discussions around core trends and emerging segments aligned directly with NTT DATA's strategic direction:
- GenAI is shifting from experimentation to embedded productivity.
- Embedded insurance is reshaping distribution and partner ecosystems.
- Data monetization is moving from idea to implementation.
- Insurers are transitioning from risk absorbers to ecosystem enablers.
During the panel discussion on 'Tech-enabled Transformation for the Insurance Sector,' Jean-Marc Pailhol, Chief Officer of Global Strategic Partnerships, Allianz Partners shared his vision for digital and physical coexistence, "AI is not Artificial Intelligence. It is Augmented Intelligence, a way to empower people, not replace them."
This idea resonates deeply with NTT DATA's views on AI: as a layer that strengthens human decisions, not displace them.
4. Shaping the Future with Embedded Insurance, Agentic AI, and Ecosystem Integration
The insurance industry is entering a phase of exponential acceleration. Technologies like AI, cloud-native architectures, behavioral analytics, and open APIs are transforming everything from product design to claims settlement.
Simultaneously, insurance is becoming increasingly embedded into other industries like retail, mobility, wellness, and beyond. Traditional boundaries of the industry are dissolving, making room for new customer journeys, new revenue models, and new forms of risk collaboration.
Amidst this rapid transition, NTT DATA remains focused on:
- Helping insurers navigate transformation at scale.
- Co-creating customer-centric, cross-industry solutions.
- Making innovation safe, compliant, and sustainable
- Enabling data readiness and monetization
We also welcome new opportunities for strategic collaboration, co-creation, and solution development with partners worldwide.
To learn more about how NTT DATA is shaping the future of insurance, please visit: https://insurance.nttdata.com/
Carlos Ordóñez
Vice President, Global Insurance Innovation & Marketing
Carlos holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering with an MBA and a Diploma in Management Development from IESE Business School - University of Navarra.
He is an executive with more than 20 years of experience in insurance and the digital world. He developed his career for 13 years at AXA Group, responsible for the management of technology and processes in Spain and Latin America. In 2010, he created and managed a global Digital Innovation Center for AXA Group.
After this stage, he led the global digital transformation of MAPFRE Group.