Markel International has this week launched an internal unit whose goal is to accelerate responsible AI adoption across the group’s five businesses.

The AI Centre of Enablement, which will be led by senior vice-president of operations for Markel in Canada Maureen Tomlinson as head of AI, will sit within the insurer’s international portfolio analytics team.

The unit will provide education, advisory support, coordination and an AI governance framework for the business.

Commenting on the launch of the new unit, Carys Lawton-Bryce, chief operations officer, Markel International, said: “At Markel, we see AI as a step-change technology with the potential to support our ambitious, profitable growth targets. We also recognise that this potential is only realised when AI is governed well, understood across the business and deployed responsibly.

"Our newly-launched Centre of Enablement will be central to how we leverage AI in a way that makes adoption safe, scalable and business-led, while ensuring responsible governance that stays ahead of regulatory expectations.”

Simon Cooper-Williams, managing director of Markel’s International portfolio analytics team, added: “As an organisation, we’ve made significant progress with the adoption of AI. The new AI Centre of Enablement is a huge step in strengthening our operational foundations and continuing on our path of success."

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