Anthem appoints former Google executive to its AI division

As the healthcare sector continues to explore new technologies to drive patient satisfaction and lower healthcare costs, insurer Anthem has appointed Udi Manber to its artificial intelligence division, CNBC has reported.

Following on from its partnership with blockchain-based company doc.ai, Manber will develop a new AI engineering team. With previous experience engineering Google’s essential search products, as well as holding senior roles at Amazon and Yahoo, Manber is well placed to transform Anthem’s healthcare efforts through the use of data science, enabling Anthem to attract and retain its market share amidst growing competition from start-ups, such as Oscar Health.

"It seems like both an offensive and defensive move," commented Ari Gottlieb, principal at A2 Strategy Group. "It suggests that they won't want to lose customers to rival health plans, both start-ups and established players, which are also making investments in technology and customer experience."

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Entering the healthcare industry in 2015, Manber has also worked for the National Institutes of Health and the University of California, San Francisco as technical advisor to UCSF's Institute for Computational Health Sciences.

Anthem has been the subject of interest in the healthcare industry this year, following on from its decision to partner with Walmart to reduce healthcare costs and provide consumers with increased access to over-the counter (OTC) medicines and services.

Additionally, the company has sought to further its digital transformation through its partnership with IBM. The decision will enable Anthem to utilise IBM’s enterprise services for its mainframe and data centre server and storage infrastructure management.

Through the deal, the duo is also set to create an artificial intelligence (AI) environment which will allow for an automated infrastructure, providing 24/7 digital capabilities that will provide greater access and value for Anthem's 40mn consumers.