Latest NIBA Research Shows 9 in 10 Brokerages Have Engaged with AI, While 1 in 4 Have Embedded It
Media Release
The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has released Technology to Trust: AI, Technology and Broking at the 2026 NIBA Convention on the Gold Coast. It is the sixth report in NIBA's Sector Insights Series and examines how brokers are adopting technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the benefits they are seeing, and the questions of trust and governance that will shape the next stage.
In 2025, Ready or Reacting? Shaping the Future of the Broking Profession identified technology and automation as one of the forces set to reshape the profession over the next decade. A year on, Technology to Trust shows that change is well underway.
Produced in partnership with Steadfast Group and with insights from CoreData, the report draws on a survey of brokers and brokerage leaders conducted in August 2026. It also reviews Australian and international research from the OECD, Ipsos, the University of Melbourne and KPMG, Edelman and PwC.
"A year ago, brokers told us technology would be one of the key forces reshaping the profession. This research shows they are already acting on it," said NIBA CEO Richard Klipin.
"Brokers are experimenting widely with AI. The next step is turning that experimentation into planned, well-governed adoption that improves outcomes for clients."
Engagement is high, and adoption is still early
Across the profession, 91% of brokerages have experimented with or adopted AI in some form, while around one in four have embedded it into core business operations. Brokers are using AI to save time on document-heavy and administrative work, and keeping human judgement at the centre of advice.
Key findings include:
1. Brokerages are engaging with AI, but few have embedded it
91% of brokerages have experimented with or adopted AI, but only around one in four have embedded it into core business operations. Microsoft Copilot is the most widely used AI tool across brokerages of all sizes.
2. Planning is one of the strongest predictors of AI maturity
Brokerages with a detailed and resourced technology strategy are almost four times more likely to have embedded AI than those without one (35% versus 9%). Large and enterprise brokerages are more than twice as likely as small and medium brokerages to have embedded AI (39% versus 16%).
3. Information processing leads adoption
86% of brokerages are using or exploring AI for policy analysis and coverage comparison. The leading uses all involve reviewing, comparing and summarising large volumes of information, with brokers keeping oversight and final responsibility for decisions.
4. Time saved is going back to clients
58% of AI users save at least one hour per week through AI. The most common use of that time is client advice and relationships, cited by 26% of AI users.
5. Trust in AI outputs is the main barrier
49% of brokers cite concerns about accuracy and reliability, the most commonly cited barrier to AI adoption. This is followed by data privacy (43%), regulatory uncertainty (23%) and a lack of internal skills or knowledge (23%).
6. Governance is lagging adoption
About one-third of brokerages using or experimenting with AI have a formal AI policy, and more than one in five have no AI-specific safeguards in place. More than a third of brokerages cannot identify who holds responsibility for AI in their business. Human review of AI outputs is the most common safeguard among small and medium brokerages (49%). Among large and enterprise brokerages, staff training on responsible AI use is the most common (62%).
Looking ahead, 84% of brokers believe technology and automation will be a defining force shaping the profession by 2035. They expect automation to take on more routine administration, and expect advice, advocacy and judgement to become more important as risks grow more complex.
"Brokers are approaching AI with optimism and care," said NIBA President Nick Cook. "They are seeing real efficiency gains and putting more of that time back into their clients. The questions now are about accuracy, privacy and governance, and the profession needs to answer them together. Trust is what clients come to brokers for, and how we use AI needs to strengthen it."
"Steadfast Group is proud to partner with NIBA on research that gives the profession a clear picture of how brokers are adopting AI and technology," said Robert Kelly AM, Founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Steadfast Group.
"The findings show brokers are using technology where it improves efficiency and frees up time for clients, while keeping human judgement at the centre of advice. We share NIBA's commitment to helping the profession adopt AI responsibly, so that technology strengthens the trust clients place in their broker," added Robert.
Brokers responding to the survey asked for clearer guidance on responsible AI use, with 41% agreeing they need more guidance on how to use AI responsibly. They called for governance frameworks, privacy standards, regulatory clarity and industry best practice.
"Technology will change how broking is delivered, and trust will remain the reason clients choose a broker," added Richard. "NIBA will use these findings to support members with practical guidance and education on responsible AI use, and to advocate for a regulatory environment that supports innovation while protecting clients."