By the numbers: The survey of 312 employers, covering 4.6 million workers, reveals a sharp planned increase in AI integration.

72% of employers plan to embed AI into their benefits programs in the next two years.
Only 20% are currently doing so.
71% of benefits teams reported having "limited or no access" to the internal skills needed to deploy AI.
Just 1% of employers have a fully developed AI roadmap specific to benefits, although 56% say one is in development.

Zoom in: Employers see AI delivering value in several key areas.

68% believe it will improve communication with employees.
59% expect it to provide better data insights and analytics.
57% anticipate AI will allow for greater personalization of benefits.

Between the lines: Despite the optimism, significant concerns persist. Data privacy and security was cited as a major concern by 70% of respondents, followed by potential AI errors (66%) and legal compliance issues (64%).

The report notes that a small group of "early adopters," representing about 16% of employers, are ahead of the curve with more defined strategies and governance frameworks already in place.

What they're saying: "AI is moving quickly from pilots to practical application in health and benefits, and employers are deliberate about where they expect it to deliver value," Jeff Chandler, North America commercialization leader for Health & Benefits at WTW, said in a statement. "But ambition alone isn't enough. Scaling AI responsibly requires the right foundations."

SURVEY: AI Adoption in Health Benefits Set to Triple, but Challenges Remain

Related Stories

Recommended For You