Modern Insurance Magazine Issue 65

mins with...
Erez Barak
Title: Chief Technology Officer, Earnix
What has been your most memorable career
achievement?
Q
From a technology perspective, memorable moments
happen for me whenever people get to use the products
AI’ve built! There’s been a few areas of pride in this sense,
particularly from my time working in leadership roles at some
of the big tech giants like Microsoft and HP, and when I’ve been
developing new technologies and product experiences for
the likes of Optify. Cloud infrastructure, big data systems and
Artificial Intelligence (AI) are all hugely exciting technological
developments to work with, and it’s great to see people find a
practical use in what you’ve built.
Throughout your career so far, what has been the most
valuable piece of advice you’ve received?
Q
That’s a really interesting question. I’ve received a lot of
advice throughout my career. Ultimately, I like to stay
A mindful of the fact that every day should be treated as a
fresh start, and a ‘jump off point’ from which new possibilities
can form. It’s easy to forget that every day is a starting point
when you’re living your day-to-day; you can easily become blind
to the opportunities around you and focus solely on what you
lack. Acknowledging the opportunity in each new day has the
power to adjust your outlook and overall approach. I really think
that mindset has the power to change your life.
What has been the key positive or negative aspect of
change in your area of the market?
Q
I have to mention AI here. From one perspective, when
people use AI too soon – without any real direction in
A terms of business implication, for example – this can
create quite a negative impression in the insurance industry,
ultimately deflecting from what this technology can really
achieve. Until industries really gain their footing with AI, it has
the potential to pose a number of challenges.
On the other hand, increased compliance, policy and standards
around the use of this technology will continue to create real and
positive change for many industries, as well as the people within
them. Users become more confident with AI, especially when
it comes to experimenting and trying things out, knowing that
someone has their back while doing so.
If you were not in your current position, what would you
like to be doing?
Q
The technology industry has a huge reach, all with
massive social implications. I meet a lot of people in this
A line of work who are making such a positive impact with
their products, embracing an overall mission to improve the
communities we live in. So, if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing right
now, I’d start by looking at what I could do that would make a
real social impact. I’d want to continue focusing on work that
changes people’s lives for the better, something that creates new
opportunities within society and helps to drive innovation and
potential.
Q
A
What three items would you put on display in a
museum of your life, and why?
My first computer would have to be included. I was young
at the time, and it was monumental for me in the way
that I taught myself how to use it, how to code and play
games. This opened many opportunities and ideas for me in both
a personal and professional sense.
I’d also include a photo collage of all the teams I’ve worked with
in the past. These people have shaped my career, and I link this
to my first computer because without the knowledge I gained
from that, I wouldn’t have had the privilege of working alongside
so many great colleagues.
Finally, I’d hang a scratch map of world, where I can document
all the places I’ve visited and travelled to. I’m really lucky that the
industry I’m in has enabled me to see so many wonderful parts of
the world.
What three guests would you invite to a dinner party?
Q
A
I’m going to invite three Steve’s: Steve Jobs, Steve Nash,
and Steve Carell. I think they’re all leaders in their area
of specialism and world class players at what they do.
Steve Jobs brought so much to the world through technology
innovation. Steve Nash was a talented NBA basketball player, and
Steve Carell is a great inspiration in comedy and acting. All three
were great team players and have positively influenced their
teams in incredible ways.
MODERN INSURANCE | 57