In this episode of TechSurge: The Deep Tech Podcast, host Nicholas Brathwaite of Celesta Capital speaks with Christian Mitchell, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Northwestern Mutual, about the profound digital transformation happening in the financial services and insurance sectors. The discussion covers how legacy systems are being modernized, the role of AI in enhancing underwriting and customer experiences, and the increasing importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding sensitive data. 

Christian also shares insights on the evolution of FinTech startups and Northwestern Mutual’s approach to investing in and partnering with innovative tech companies, providing a deep dive into how technology is reshaping long-established industries while balancing innovation with regulatory and customer needs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tech Surge and Industry Transformation

02:46 Legacy Technology vs. Digital Transformation in Financial Services

05:55 The Evolution of FinTech: From 1.0 to Current Trends

09:08 Leveraging Startups and Deep Tech for Innovation

11:58 Navigating Challenges in Digital Transformation

15:06 Talent Acquisition and Company Culture in Tech

18:01 The Role of the Innovation Lab in Driving Change

20:54 AI's Impact on Business Operations and Customer Experience

24:02 Addressing Privacy, Bias, and Ethical AI Implementation

26:58 Data Management Strategies: Cloud vs. On-Premise 

29:47 Cybersecurity as a Collective Responsibility

Links

https://www.northwesternmutual.com/

https://fintechbreakthrough.com/2022-winners