PUBLISHER’ S NOTE
INVEST IN YOUR TEAM; HARNESS AI written by Dave Hulcher
Artificial Intelligence( AI) remains one of the world’ s most consequential and widely discussed topics. Recently, it’ s even officially been rebranded as Super Intelligence( SI) by the government to wholistically describe all forms of AI and where it is heading. There has also been much discussion between the federal officials, tech CEOs, and consumer advocacy on the appropriate regulatory framework around SI and future risks. We are witnessing work that will shape the future.
Our industry is focused on how AI can be implemented to streamline workflows, bring efficiencies, and enhance customer experience. Agents are moving from wading into AI tools to generate marketing content and aid with customer comms to understanding the tools to remove workflow friction, such as policy comparisons, data intake & quoting, and proposal development.
AI clearly offers resources that can lead to better outcomes, but it matters how we implement it, maintain oversight, and redeploy capacity gained in a productive way. It must complement the human element and the relationships that have made the IA channel successful.
To truly harness our future gains from AI, I believe strongly that agencies must reinvest in the continued education of our employees. For example, policy comparisons can surely be done more quickly and efficiently by AI, but are they accurate? It will be more important than ever to have a deep, well-rounded understanding of principles and coverage to know the right questions to ask to get valid results. Important employee skill sets will need to emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, and emotional intelligence so they can interpret AI outputs and know what to ask.
AI can expand agency capabilities allowing employees to re-invest time. So, invest in technology but don’ t lose sight of investing in developing your employees.
Stay humble, kind, and thankful,
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
KIA & B
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 • VOLUME 31 No. 5
OFFICERS OF KAIA President: David Vogel | dvogel @ provalueins. com President-Elect: Brock Elliott | brock @ elliottinsurancegroup. com VP / Treasurer: Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance. com Secretary / Assistant Treasurer: Scott Strickland | scotts @ cacu. com National Director: Jo Erin Stuteville | joerin @ elliottinsurancegroup. com Immediate Past President: Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz @ sbsins. com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Zone I Director: Cristi Werth | cwerth @ ruraltel. net Zone II Director: Chris Bohrer | cbohrer @ wic. insurance Director-at-Large: Rob Fisher | rfisher @ fumainsurance. com Director-at-Large: William Rowlen | bill @ fhins. com Director-at-Large: Russell Winn | russell @ winninsurance. com Director-at-Large: Christine Teagarden | christine @ trulyins. com Director-at-Large: Casey Williamson | casey. williamson @ hwins. com Young Agents Chair: Jordan Crow | jordan. crow @ ipfs. com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Chief Executive Officer: Dave Hulcher COO / General Counsel: Beth Smoller Vice President of Finance: Shannon Bower E & O Program Administrator: Barb Wise AVP of Prof. Dev. & Marketing: Karlyn Raleigh Director of Marketing: Valerie Gardner Director of Business Development: Patrick McCoy Agency Ops & Member Engagement Mgr: Tony Elleman Office Coordinator: Barb Cobuluis Acct. Managers: Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse KAIA Lobbyist: Dan Murray