AI Adoption Specialist for Insurance & Financial Services

88% of companies use AI.
Only 6% see the value.

That gap is adoption, not access, and it's a change problem, not a technology one. I close it in 90 days: diagnose, design the change strategy, deliver it, track & evolve, until it sticks.

Eri Ishikawa

25 years leading change and transformation for insurance & financial services, including Swiss Re, Zurich Insurance Group, PartnerRe and Galytix.

The AI adoption gap

Most companies have the technology.
Almost none have the adoption.

AI adoption is a change problem, not a technology one, and it's solvable in 90 days.

88%
of organisations use AI in at least one business function
6%
have achieved significant enterprise-level EBIT impact from it
McKinsey, "Capturing Central Europe's AI Opportunity", June 2026, citing "The State of AI in 2025" (n=1,993, 105 countries) · BCG, "Closing the AI Impact Gap", 2025
See the full picture

The real problem

Fewer than a third of companies have upskilled even a quarter of their workforce to use AI.

And initiatives without active sponsorship are roughly three times less likely to meet their objectives. Technology was never the hard part.


What I do

AI Adoption Accelerator

The offer
A 90-day acceleration programme for insurers

Diagnose, design, deliver, then track and evolve, built around sponsorship, workflow redesign and reinforcement, the three conditions that turn AI investment into adopted behaviour.

Explore the Accelerator
Free tool
AI Readiness Diagnostic

Twelve questions across the three pillars of adoption: sponsorship, workflow redesign and reinforcement. About five minutes, and you'll see exactly where your organisation stands.

Take the diagnostic
Where do you stand?

Take the free AI Readiness Diagnostic

A scored breakdown across sponsorship, workflow redesign and reinforcement, plus the one thing worth fixing first.

Open the diagnostic
Let's talk

Ready to fix your AI adoption challenge?

Start with the free diagnostic, or go straight to a 25-minute strategy session. No obligation either way.

© 2026 Eri Ishikawa & Design and Lead Change GmbH eri@eriishikawa.com Privacy Policy Legal Notice
The offer

AI Adoption Accelerator

A 90-day acceleration programme for insurance & financial services companies

A 90-day programme that turns AI investment into adopted behaviour, and value you can measure and realise.

The AI adoption gap

Most companies have the technology.
Almost none have the adoption.

AI adoption is a change problem, not a technology one, and it's solvable in 90 days.

88%
of organisations use AI in at least one business function
6%
have achieved significant enterprise-level EBIT impact from it
McKinsey, "Capturing Central Europe's AI Opportunity", June 2026, citing "The State of AI in 2025" (n=1,993, 105 countries) · BCG, "Closing the AI Impact Gap", 2025

Access looks healthy. Use doesn't. Here's what the drop-off looks like once a tool actually goes live.

Rollout
−52 pts
92%
Tool
access
78%
Initial
training
61%
First
use
40%
Sustained use
(technology alone)
Provisioned (has access) In use (where it breaks down)
Reading the gap

Access and training numbers look healthy on a dashboard. But leaders overestimate real usage by up to 3x. That 40% plateau is where the fix has to start.

Worklytics, citing Morgan Stanley & RSM, 2025

And it's not evenly spread. Here's what the people who never adopt at all say is holding them back.

Prefer their current way of working
46%
Ethically opposed to using AI
43%
Data privacy or security concerns
43%
Don't think AI can help with their work
39%
Tried AI, found it not useful
26%
Gallup, "AI in the Workplace: What Separates Adopters and Holdouts" (Feb 2026 survey, n=23,717 US employees), April 2026

Not because the platform fails. Because sponsorship fades after launch, the workflow never gets redesigned around the tool, or reinforcement stops once the project team moves on. That costs companies millions in wasted investment.

I've spent 25+ years leading change and transformation across insurance, technology and hospitality, and I've been a Prosci-certified Change Practitioner since 2015. I know how to close this gap.

Prosci, Best Practices in Change Management (updated 7 August 2026) · BCG, "AI at Work: Why Strategy Matters More Than Tools", 3 June 2026
The model

The AI Value Cycle

After go-live, adoption needs an ongoing loop of use, evidence and refinement, not a one-time rollout.

The AI Value Cycle: Adopt, Measure, Learn, Embed

Read more in the LinkedIn newsletter “The AI Value Cycle: From Deployment to Realisation”.

The method

Three pillars of adoption

Sustained use is most likely when all three conditions hold together, not one at a time.

Sponsorship

A leader visibly uses AI, shares what they learn and encourages others to experiment.

Reinforcement

Managers and champions protect practice and feedback as the technology evolves.

Experimentation lives under Reinforcement, supported by Sponsorship: it's the psychological safety a team needs, protected day to day by managers and champions as the technology evolves.

The business case

From technology-alone to target state

This is the 40% plateau from the funnel above, before workflow redesign and culture do their part.

Value Realisation Bridge: from a baseline of 40 (technology alone) through adoption, workflow redesign and culture, to a target state of 80

Illustrative value bridge: index values, not currency. Priced next in the AI Value Calculator.

What closing the gap is worth

A reusable formula for pricing that 40-to-80 move, in your own numbers. Adjust the inputs, no need to take mine.

Potential AI value through adoption
CHF 0.4M
per year, +40 pts of adoption (40% → 80%)
(people × minutes saved × tasks/week) ÷ 60 ÷ 8-hour workday × day rate × 42 working weeks/year × adoption gained

Illustrative: swap these five inputs for your own numbers before this becomes a business case, we'll do exactly that together in Diagnose.

A business case in your own numbers

The AI Value Calculator's formula above, run with your headcount, task time and day rate, not ours.

Improved adoption, and the value it unlocks

The business case is revisited at day 90 with real usage data, so you see value realised, not just projected.

Documented deliverables

Change strategy and training plan, an adoption measurement dashboard, champion activation materials, and a continuation plan for local teams after handover.

Adoption tracked and reported

From your technology-alone baseline to the programme's target state, using the AI Readiness Diagnostic and weekly usage data.

Support throughout

Direct access to Eri, regular check-ins, practical support for local teams, and the internal capability to carry the work forward after day 90.

The programme

Four phases, ninety days

Then monthly support if you want continuity.

1
Diagnose
  • Stakeholder diagnosis & baseline
  • Usage barriers & workflow gaps
  • Success measures by user group
Wks 1–2
2
Design
  • Change strategy & rollout plan
  • Training & communication plan
  • Manager & champion enablement
Wks 3–4
3
Deliver
  • Readiness activities & training
  • Champion activation & feedback
  • Practical support for local teams
Wks 5–10
4
Track & Evolve
  • Post-launch tracking & iteration
  • Continuation plan
  • Internal capability to carry it forward
Wks 11–12
After the 90 days

Clients who want continuity move to an ongoing monthly retainer, minimum six months.

Curious where you stand?

Take the free AI Readiness Diagnostic first

Twelve questions, a scored breakdown across the three pillars, and the one thing worth fixing first. About five minutes.

Open the diagnostic
My experience

Where this comes from

Before the Accelerator existed as its own offer, I worked as a contract Change Manager, placed through a staffing agency, on the UAT phase of a global insurance company's new AI underwriting platform.

The role

Change Manager during UAT for a multi-country AI underwriting rollout. Internal resource for change management, training and communications was limited. Product and technology teams were focused on building the solution.

What I did

Coordinated UAT testing across countries, built the stakeholder communications and training materials, and delivered the user demonstrations myself.

My own estimate

With change management involved, UAT completion reached around 80%. My own estimate, not a measured figure, is that it would have landed closer to 40% without it. I handed over change management to the internal resource after go-live with intensive supporting materials including the scaleup framework with communication and training templates.

~40% ~80%

My own estimate of UAT completion, with vs without dedicated change management. Not a measured post-launch adoption result and not delivered through the Accelerator.

Industry context: BCG found in March 2026 that just 38% of P&C insurers were generating value at scale from AI in core workflows, most citing people and process gaps rather than technology.

More about my background
Two ways this goes

The gap at the top of this page doesn't close on its own.

Without the Accelerator

  • Adoption stays wherever it is, without a structured push to change it.
  • You're not among the 6% of organisations achieving significant enterprise-level EBIT impact from AI.
  • Whatever value your numbers modelled stays modelled, never realised.

With the Accelerator

  • We work together towards the target state, moving adoption further within 90 days.
  • Value gets tracked and reported at day 90, not just projected.
  • You join the minority already turning AI investment into bottom-line impact.
Let's talk

Ready to fix your AI adoption challenge?

Start with the free diagnostic or go straight to a 25-minute strategy session.

© 2026 Eri Ishikawa & Design and Lead Change GmbH eri@eriishikawa.com Privacy Policy Legal Notice
About Eri

About Eri Ishikawa

Twenty-five-plus years leading change and transformation across insurance and financial services, in Switzerland and the UK, including roles at Swiss Re, PartnerRe, Zurich Insurance Group and Galytix.

That's included leading a five-person consulting team through global transformation across underwriting operations at Swiss Re, building a 100-plus-person champion network for a technology change programme at PartnerRe, and working on an AI-enabled claim classification project at Galytix. I've been a Prosci-certified Change Practitioner since 2015.

Since August 2025 I've worked as an AI Adoption Specialist through Design and Lead Change GmbH, diagnosing AI adoption readiness and designing change strategy for insurance and financial services clients, work that grew directly out of a contract Change Manager role on the UAT phase of a live AI underwriting platform for a global insurance company. Read more about that experience.

Eri Ishikawa
Eri Ishikawa delivering a talk at a Lamborghini event
Speaking at a Lamborghini event
Eri Ishikawa speaking to guests at a Ferrari event
Speaking at a Ferrari event
Credentials

Background and training

Executive MBA, IMD Cornell University Change Practitioner, Prosci PMI PMP Scrum.org PSM I NLP Trainer ICF ACC
PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) ABNLP Master Coach and Trainer ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

Based in Switzerland. Working with clients across Europe and internationally, in English and Japanese.

Let's talk

Ready to start the conversation?

Based in Switzerland, working with clients across Europe and internationally.

© 2026 Eri Ishikawa & Design and Lead Change GmbH eri@eriishikawa.com Privacy Policy Legal Notice
Insights

Insights & Articles

Writing on AI adoption, change management and transformation.

Three Pillars of Adoption
Coming soon

Initiatives with strong sponsorship are 79% likely to succeed. Without it, just 27%.

The three pillars that make AI adoption stick.

Beyond Go-Live: The AI Value Cycle
Published on LinkedIn · September 2, 2026

The AI Value Cycle: From Deployment to Realisation

Adopt, measure, learn, embed: the loop that compounds adoption into value.

Let's talk

Ready to fix your AI adoption challenge?

© 2026 Eri Ishikawa & Design and Lead Change GmbH eri@eriishikawa.com Privacy Policy Legal Notice
Let's talk

Ready to fix your AI adoption challenge?

Start with the free diagnostic, about five minutes, or go straight to a 25-minute strategy session.

Send a message

Let's start the conversation.

Something went wrong sending your message. Please try again, or email eri@eriishikawa.com directly.
Thank you for reaching out. Eri will be in touch soon.
Or book directly

Book a free 25-minute consultation

A focused 25-minute consultation to explore what is possible. Come curious, leave with clarity.

Book a free consultation
Email
eri@eriishikawa.com
LinkedIn
Based in
Buchberg, Switzerland
Working internationally · English & Japanese
Eri Ishikawa
© 2026 Eri Ishikawa & Design and Lead Change GmbH eri@eriishikawa.com Privacy Policy Legal Notice
ストーリー こんな気持ち サロンとは 参加方法 恵理について
Eri Ishikawa
私のストーリー

平凡に日本で育って、
24歳でようやく一歩を踏み出した。

子どもの頃から、漠然と国際的な世界への憧れがあった。大学院を卒業した24歳のとき、ついにアメリカ留学を決意した。実際に留学が実現したのは、それから数年後の28歳のときだった。

その後、スイスで職が決まり、スイスとイギリスを拠点に、国際企業でキャリアを積んできた。その過程で、いろんな困難に立ち向かった。友人、先輩、上司に支えられながら、一つひとつ乗り越えるなかで、自分自身をより深く知ることができた。

その経験を、このサロンで話したいと思っています。何があって、どう感じて、どう動いて、どうなったか。秘訣も、失敗談も。ぜひ一緒に話しましょう。

こんな気持ち、ある?

頑張っているのに、なんか伝わっていない気がする。

能力も、実績も、ある。でも国際的な場では、なぜかそれが届いていない感覚。そのモヤモヤ、一人で抱えなくていい。

グローバルの場で発言するタイミングが掴めない流れが速くて、入る隙間がどこかわからない。
英語は勉強しているのに、使う場面では自信が出ない頭ではわかっているのに、口が追いつかない感覚。
実績はあるのに、国際的な機会が自分に来ない何かが足りないのか、それとも伝わっていないだけか。
国際的な場では「正解」がわからず、手探りのことが多い文化もルールも違う環境で、どう振る舞えばいいか迷う。
本当は、グローバルな舞台でもっと輝きたいでも、それを口にするのがなんとなく恥ずかしい。
Europe Living Salon
コミュニティ · Europe Living Salon

だから、このサロンをつくった。

私自身の25年のグローバルキャリアのなかで実際に起きたこと。うまくいったこと、恥ずかしいくらい失敗したこと、迷ったこと。そのまま話す場所。

月に一度、オンラインで集まって、最近起きたことや気になっていることを一緒に話しましょう。「こんなこと聞いていいの?」って思っているくらいが、ちょうどいい。

月1回 オンラインセッション オンラインコミュニティ 同じ環境の仲間と繋がれる
参加方法 · Join

国際ステージで、自分らしく輝きたい人へ。

無料のオンラインコミュニティです。Skoolで日々つながりながら、月に一度はZoomで顔を合わせます。まずは覗いてみるだけでも、大歓迎です。

Skoolでサロンに参加する →

参加は無料です。

恵理について

名古屋生まれ。東京理科大学工学部大学院を卒業後、コーネル大学(米国)で修士を取得し、スイスと英国で25年の国際キャリアを歩んできた。スイス再保険、チューリッヒ保険、PartnerRe、Galytixなど大手グローバル企業での多様な経験を経て、AI変革マネジメントのスペシャリストとして活躍。ヨーロッパを中心に世界各地を飛び回ってきた。

「正しい英語」から「使える英語」へ、自分らしさを見つけて、国際的な場で活躍。グローバルな舞台で自分らしく輝きたい日本人プロフェッショナルに、リアルな経験と気づきを届けている。

Executive MBA, IMD Cornell University NLP Trainer ICF ACC Change Practitioner, Prosci PMI PMP Scrum.org PSM I
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) ABNLP Master Coach and Trainer PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)

サロンの外では、こんな仕事も。

スピーチをしたり、コーチングをしたり、企業のAI変革に貢献したり。25年間グローバル企業で培ってきたことを活かして、活動してます。

詳しくはこちら →
世界のステージで輝きましょう
✦ ✦ ✦
© 2026 石川 恵理 · Design and Lead Change GmbH