How an actuary can use AI, task by task

O*NET 15-2011.00: ActuariesMedian pay $130,000/year (BLS, May 2025)15 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Actuarial Analyst, Actuarial Associate, Actuarial Consultant, Actuary, Consulting Actuary, Health Actuary, Life Actuary, Pricing Actuary, Product Development Actuary, Reserving Actuary.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 14%AI-assist 83%Stays human 4%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 1 AI-ready, 12 AI-assist and 2 human-led tasks out of 15. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Analyze data to determine premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.Crunch the numbers · Weekly
Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.Coordinate & message · Weekly
Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.Answer questions · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Testify before public agencies on proposed legislation affecting businesses.Be there for people · Yearly or less
Testify in court as expert witness or to provide legal evidence on matters such as the value of potential lifetime earnings of a person disabled or killed in an accident.Be there for people · Yearly or less

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 1

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Analyze data to determine premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to analyze data to determine premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Data: [paste]
Question: [rates, reserves, performance]

Analyze and explain. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Operational data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze data to determine premium rates required and cash (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze operational or research data.. Also involves: Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.; Manage financial activities of the organization..

AI can help you prep these 12

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.

Weekly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.

Context: We use IBM Lotus Notes.
Strategy: [online, marketing]
Teams: [describe]

Draft a message aligning goals and responsibilities. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Strategy alignment

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with programmers, underwriters and accounts (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Strategy] and [Teams] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with others to develop or implement marketing strategies..

Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.

Weekly

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.

Context: The work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Products: [equipment, systems]
Customer questions: [list]

Write clear advice and recommendations. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Technical advice answers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide advice (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Customer questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise customers on technical or procedural issues.. Also involves: Advise others on legal or regulatory compliance matters..

Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Area: [schedules, cost control, plans]
Data: [paste]

Analyze status and risks. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design, review, and help administer insurance and annuity and pension plans.

Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Manage financial activities of the organization..

Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 37% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Data: [paste de-identified data]
Question: [service improvement]

Analyze trends and suggest improvements. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Health data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze statistical information to estimate mortality.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze health-related data..

Provide expertise to help financial institutions manage risks and maximize returns associated with investment products or credit offerings.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to provide expertise to help financial institutions manage risks and maximize returns associated with investment products or credit offerings.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Area: [schedules, cost control, plans]
Data: [paste]

Analyze status and risks. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide expertise.

Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Manage financial activities of the organization..

Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Department: [describe]
Priorities: [list]

Draft objectives, deadlines and owners. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Department goals

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine, or help determine and company policy.

Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Priorities] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop organizational goals or objectives..

Determine policy contract provisions for each type of insurance.

A few times a year

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to determine policy contract provisions for each type of insurance.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Area: [schedules, cost control, plans]
Data: [paste]

Analyze status and risks. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine policy contract provisions.

Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Manage financial activities of the organization..

Construct probability tables for events such as fires, natural disasters, and unemployment, based on analysis of statistical data and other pertinent information.

A few times a year

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to construct probability tables for events such as fires, natural disasters, and unemployment, based on analysis of statistical data and other pertinent information.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Data: [paste table]
Question: [what relationships matter]

Analyze correlations and trends with code or formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Find trends and relationships

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you construct probability tables.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables..

Negotiate terms and conditions of reinsurance with other companies.

A few times a year

AI preps talking points and practice; the relationship is yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps you: talking points, objection handling, tailored outreach and negotiation scenarios. The relationship and reading the room are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to negotiate terms and conditions of reinsurance with other companies.

Context: The work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Supplier: [type]
Terms: [price, discount, transport]

Prepare and role-play. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Supplier contract negotiation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you negotiate terms and conditions of reinsurance.

Step 2Fill in [Supplier] and [Terms] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Ask for feedback on your answers and write down your best line for the real conversation.

Make sure every claim AI writes about your product is true and allowed. Over-promising is on you.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers..

Determine equitable basis for distributing surplus earnings under participating insurance and annuity contracts in mutual companies.

A few times a year

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to determine equitable basis for distributing surplus earnings under participating insurance and annuity contracts in mutual companies.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Area: [schedules, cost control, plans]
Data: [paste]

Analyze status and risks. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine equitable basis.

Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Manage financial activities of the organization..

Explain changes in contract provisions to customers.

Monthly

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 30% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to explain changes in contract provisions to customers.

Context: The work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Service: [online, product]
Common issues: [list]

Write answers and escalation paths. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Customer service answers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you explain changes in contract provisions to customers. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Service] and [Common issues] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Provide customer service to clients or users..

Manage credit and help price corporate security offerings.

A few times a year

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to manage credit and help price corporate security offerings.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Area: [schedules, cost control, plans]
Data: [paste]

Analyze status and risks. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you manage credit.

Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 2.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Manage financial activities of the organization..

These stay human 2

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Impact of decisions: important results · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time

Testify before public agencies on proposed legislation affecting businesses.

Yearly or less

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to testify before public agencies on proposed legislation affecting businesses.

Context: The work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Proceeding: [court, hearing, legislative]
Topic: [findings, violations, investigation]

Help me prepare: key facts in order, likely questions including hostile ones, and how to answer calmly and only within my knowledge. Then cross-examine me.

10-minute exercise: Testimony prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you testify before public agencies on proposed legislation.

Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Review with counsel and stick strictly to facts you can support.

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Testify at legal or legislative proceedings..

Testify in court as expert witness or to provide legal evidence on matters such as the value of potential lifetime earnings of a person disabled or killed in an accident.

Yearly or less

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to testify in court as expert witness or to provide legal evidence on matters such as the value of potential lifetime earnings of a person disabled or killed in an accident.

Context: The work draws on economics and accounting, mathematics and computers and electronics.
Proceeding: [court, hearing, legislative]
Topic: [findings, violations, investigation]

Help me prepare: key facts in order, likely questions including hostile ones, and how to answer calmly and only within my knowledge. Then cross-examine me.

10-minute exercise: Testimony prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you testify in court.

Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Review with counsel and stick strictly to facts you can support. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 2.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Testify at legal or legislative proceedings..

Get the full prompt pack for Actuaries

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Speakingimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Writingimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

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Skills to build: Management of Financial Resources, Monitoring, Coordination
Economists14% human-led · Needs more preparation · $124,720/yr · usually master's degree
Skills to build: Learning Strategies
Financial Examiners9% human-led · Same preparation · $94,160/yr · usually bachelor's degree
Skills to build: Learning Strategies, Management of Personnel Resources, Instructing
Financial Quantitative Analysts0% human-led · Needs more preparation · $81,100/yr · usually master's degree
Your skills already line up

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Develop and maintain projection models.

New in O*NET

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an actuary. Part of my job is to develop and maintain projection models.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI.
Here is my data on projection models: [paste a table, or list the columns you export from Tableau or Microsoft Power BI]
What I'm trying to decide: [the question this data should answer]

1. Tell me the 3 most important things this data shows for that decision
2. Point out anything unusual I should double-check
3. Give me the spreadsheet formulas to reproduce your numbers
Show your working step by step.

10-minute exercise: Second pair of eyes: projection models

Step 1Export a small slice of real data on projection models from Tableau or Microsoft Power BI, with names and confidential figures removed.

Step 2Paste it into [paste a table] and write the real decision in [What I'm trying to decide].

Step 3Put one of the formulas it gives into your spreadsheet. If your number differs, ask AI why before trusting anything else.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

O*NET has not surveyed education and training for this occupation yet.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

C++IBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Power BIMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA