Dr. Aftab Hasan Interview
“The Visionary Behind a Global InsurTech Movement”
When the conversation turns to technology, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership, one name commands attention – Dr. AFTAB Hasan. As the Founder & Chairman of the Global Association of InsurTech Professionals (GAIP), Dr. Hasan has transformed what began as an idea on paper into a powerful global non-profit movement headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in UAE. From the first white-paper presentation at the United Nations Office in Geneva to today’s expanding network of GAIP chapters across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, UK, Singapore and Brazil, his journey embodies a rare blend of vision, conviction, and compassion.
For Dr. Hasan, GAIP is not merely an organization; it is a mission to democratize insurance access through technology – a cause born from witnessing how millions remain excluded from basic protection against life’s uncertainties.
“When I first wrote GAIP’s mission on that white sheet,” he reflects, “it wasn’t about building another institution – it was about building an inclusive future.”
The Inspiration behind GAIP
We started the interview by asking, “Dr. Hasan, GAIP has evolved from a vision into a global movement. What inspired its creation?”
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “The inspiration behind GAIP was both deeply personal and profoundly professional. Having spent decades in the insurance and reinsurance industry, I witnessed firsthand how technology was transforming every sector from banking to healthcare, yet our own industry often remained on the periphery of this digital revolution. Despite its fundamental role in protecting lives and livelihoods, insurance was fragmented, innovative in pockets but largely disconnected from the transformative power of technology.
This realization stirred something within me. I saw not just a gap, but an opportunity, a chance to build a bridge between innovation and inclusion, ensuring that technology becomes a true enabler of protection for all. Many regions, especially in the developing world, still lack access to even the most basic insurance coverage. To me, that was unacceptable in a century defined by connectivity and progress. GAIP was born out of that conviction that technology must serve humanity, not just efficiency metrics.
When I first presented the concept of GAIP at our InsureTek Conference Middle East and then again in the UNDRR Office in Geneva, it wasn’t a corporate pitch; it was a pledge of purpose. I presented there not as an individual, but as a representative of an industry brimming with potential yet often overlooked by regulators and policymakers seeking their support for a larger cause. That defining moment crystallized a mission to unite insurers, reinsurers, technologists, regulators, and investors into one global alliance, working together to democratize access, drive innovation, and bring integrity back to the very core of the insurance ecosystem.
Today, GAIP stands proudly in DIFC as a Non-Profit Incorporated Organization, a movement that has grown from a single idea into an international force for collaboration and reform. This journey would not have been possible without the trust and encouragement of those who believed in this vision when it was still just a dream. I owe my special heartfelt gratitude to Sir Sohan Roy – Vice Chairman and Mr. Fareed Lutfi – Secretary General, of GAIP who stood beside me from the very beginning their faith, their guidance and their unwavering commitment helped bring GAIP to life.
I also extend my deepest appreciation to DIFC Authority, Founding Board Members, Advisors, and Patrons from around the world, who are the true pillars of strength behind GAIP. Their collective wisdom has transformed a vision into a global movement built on one vision, one doctrine, and one mission – to unite the insurance and technology industries for a greater cause that benefits society at large.
Our industry stands today at a crossroads. While technology continues to revolutionize economies across the world, the insurance sector still fights for the attention, regulatory recognition, and financial ecosystem it rightfully deserves. This is precisely where GAIP steps in as a bridge between innovation and implementation, between regulations and opportunities, and between ideas and execution.
GAIP is not just an association – it is a collective conscience of professionals determined to reshape the way the world views insurance. It is the realization of a simple but powerful belief:
“A one-man vision can transform into a global mission when the cause behind it is to empower generations to come for a compassionate and noble purpose.”
Setting GAIP Apart
Times of Al-Arab: How does GAIP differ from other professional associations in the InsurTech ecosystem?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “GAIP stands apart because it operates as a global non-profit industry body, not a commercial enterprise. We don’t sell solutions, rather we build ecosystems. Our purpose is not transactional; it’s transformational. GAIP’s core pillars revolve around education, policy advocacy, research, and capacity building, with the single-minded objective of advancing the InsurTech sector through collaboration and collective wisdom.
Through our global initiatives such as the GAIP Academy, the GAIP Innovation Fund, and the GAIP Quality Assurance Program, we are nurturing the next generation of InsurTech leaders, empowering start-ups, and setting global benchmarks for responsible, transparent, and sustainable innovation. Each initiative is carefully designed to create value for professionals, regulators, and innovators alike, ensuring that the InsurTech ecosystem matures with integrity and inclusiveness.
As a thorough professional, I have always believed in the power of collaboration over competition. In my view, real progress is achieved not when we outdo one another, but when we uplift one another. That philosophy lies at the heart of GAIP. It became both organic and inevitable to explore partnerships with other associations and entities already serving the same ecosystem of our dynamic industry. Instead of creating silos, GAIP seeks to bring them together, to join hands under one global umbrella that amplifies their reach and impact.
Our goal is to empower these existing associations and professionals by giving them a platform a bigger global canvas to serve the shared cause of protecting lives, assets, and communities through innovation. GAIP’s non-profit structure ensures that every effort, every collaboration and every chapter serves societal benefit first, not commercial interest.
In essence, GAIP doesn’t compete; it connects. It unites the fragmented forces of insurance and technology into a single global movement that thrives on shared purpose, inclusive growth, and sustainable transformation.”
Tracing GAIP’s Journey of Milestones
Times of Al-Arab: GAIP’s growth has been remarkable. Could you highlight some key milestones?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “Indeed, the journey of GAIP has been nothing short of extraordinary rather a testament to how a purpose-driven idea can evolve into a truly global movement when shared by passionate professionals across continents. From its inception, GAIP has grown through conviction, collaboration, and collective effort rather than commercial motivation.
Our story began in April 2024, with the soft launch of GAIP in Dubai, where the foundation of this global alliance was first laid under the banner of DIFC. That moment marked the formal beginning of our mission to unite insurers, reinsurers, technology providers, regulators, and investors under one purpose to bridge the gap between innovation and inclusion.
Shortly thereafter, in May 2024, we introduced the GAIP Saudi Arabia Chapter during InsureTek Middle East – Saudi Arabia, aligning our mission with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives to digitize and diversify the financial sector. The reception we received reaffirmed that the MENA region was ready for a unified InsurTech movement.
In August 2024, the GAIP India Chapter was inaugurated during the 9th Global Economic Summit on FinTech at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai, a milestone that underscored our commitment to advancing financial inclusion through technology. India, with its deep talent pool and emerging digital ecosystem, became our knowledge and inclusion hub for South Asia.
By October 2024, GAIP expanded its footprint further with the soft launch of the Turkey Chapter during the prestigious Türkiye Rendezvous & Istanbul Insurance Conference. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey became our bridge for Eurasian collaboration, particularly in reinsurance and climate resilience initiatives.
The momentum continued into April 2025, when we hosted the Official Global Launch of GAIP in Dubai, a historic two-day event at the JW Marriott Hotel & Resort that brought together regulators, reinsurers, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world. It wasn’t just a launch; it was a celebration of unity, vision, and shared purpose.
In September 2025, our GAIP UK Chapter achieved official government approval to operate as a non-profit association, a major milestone positioning GAIP at the heart of one of the world’s most respected insurance markets. Around the same month, we soft-launched GAIP Singapore during IIC Asia 2025, connecting the MENA and APAC ecosystems and establishing Singapore as our future regional innovation and research nucleus.
On 9th October 2025, we announced the GAIP Brazil Chapter during the Horasis Global Summit 2025 in São Paulo, marking our official entry into Latin America. This chapter is building a Pan-Latin InsurTech Network, focusing on parametric solutions, agricultural resilience, and regional collaboration.
Each of these milestones reflect GAIP’s unwavering philosophy that collaboration, not competition, is the true currency of progress. Every new chapter represents not just geographic expansion, but an extension of our mission, to create one global community where knowledge, technology and compassion converge to redefine the future of insurance.”
Exploring the Future Horizons of InsurTech
Times of Al-Arab: The InsurTech sector is growing rapidly. Where do you see its greatest opportunities?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “The future of the InsurTech industry lies at the intersection of data, trust, and inclusion these are the three pillars that together will determine how effectively we can reimagine the very purpose of insurance in society.
First and foremost, data is the new foundation of modern insurance. With the rise of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), insurers now have the unprecedented ability to understand risk at a micro level, not just by category or region, but by behavior, environment, and real-time activity. This opens immense opportunities for personalized products, dynamic pricing models and predictive prevention strategies that can reduce losses even before they occur. But with great access to data comes greater responsibility. The real opportunity is in using data ethically and intelligently, ensuring that analytics empower people rather than alienate them.
The second dimension is trust, which remains the invisible currency of our industry. Insurance has always been built on the promise of protection, a promise that must now be renewed in the digital age. As automation and AI increasingly handle underwriting, claims and customer engagement, the industry must double down on transparency, fairness, and accountability. Building digital systems that people can trust where algorithms are explainable and decisions auditable is not just an ethical necessity; it’s a competitive advantage. This is why initiatives such as the GAIP Quality Assurance Program are vital they establish global standards and governance models that ensure innovation is responsible and credible.
The third, and perhaps most profound, pillar is inclusion. Despite global economic growth, billions still live without access to even the most basic insurance cover, particularly in emerging economies vulnerable to health shocks, climate change, and natural catastrophes. Here lies one of the greatest humanitarian and economic opportunities of our time: using technology to close the protection gap. Innovations such as parametric insurance, where payouts are triggered automatically by measurable events like rainfall or wind speed, can deliver fast relief in disaster zones and climate-sensitive sectors. Similarly, microinsurance delivered via mobile platforms can extend affordable protection to small farmers, daily wage earners, and underserved families. When technology meets empathy, inclusion becomes not just a policy objective, but a transformative social force.
Finally, the real acceleration of InsurTech will depend on cross-border collaboration between regulators, innovators, and investors. The insurance industry doesn’t operate in isolation; it functions within complex regulatory ecosystems that differ widely from country to country. Without harmonization and dialogue, innovation risks being fragmented. This is where GAIP’s Policy Advocacy Group plays a decisive role by facilitating constructive engagement among global stakeholders, helping regulators understand technology’s potential while guiding innovators toward compliance and ethical growth.
In summary, the greatest opportunities for InsurTech do not lie in the technology itself, but in how we apply it intelligently, inclusively, and responsibly. The future belongs to those who can combine data with empathy, efficiency with ethics, and innovation with integrity. That is the philosophy GAIP stands for, and the direction in which I see our industry heading.”
Dr. AFTAB Hasan with GAIP Board Members during the GAIP-InsureTek International Conference & Awards.
Tackling Gaps in Access, Trust, and Inclusion
Times of Al-Arab: What challenges does GAIP seek to address in this digital-first insurance landscape?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “Digitalization has undoubtedly brought tremendous opportunities to the insurance industry – efficiency, speed, and scalability. Yet, it has also introduced a new generation of challenges that require wisdom, regulation, and collective vigilance to manage effectively. At GAIP, we believe that embracing technology without addressing its inherent risks is like building a high-speed vehicle without a proper brake system. Our mission is to ensure that the global InsurTech revolution evolves with integrity, inclusivity, and intelligence.
One of the foremost challenges in today’s digital-first ecosystem is cybersecurity. As insurers and intermediaries migrate toward cloud-based platforms, API integrations, and digital claim processes, the vulnerability of customer data has become a growing concern. A single breach can erode decades of trust. GAIP is actively working toward building a global dialogue on cyber resilience, encouraging insurers to integrate data protection frameworks and ethical AI standards into their operational DNA.
The second major challenge is the ethical application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While AI offers immense potential for automation and risk prediction, it also raises concerns about bias, transparency, and accountability. The question is no longer whether we can build smarter systems but whether we can build fairer systems. Through our GAIP Quality Assurance Program, we are creating globally auditable frameworks to validate the fairness and integrity of digital insurance solutions, ensuring that every InsurTech product can be trusted, benchmarked, and seamlessly adopted across markets.
A third and often underestimated challenge lies in legacy system integration. Many insurers operate on decades-old infrastructure that struggles to accommodate new technologies. Innovation, therefore, cannot be achieved in isolation; it must coexist with the old while paving the way for the new. GAIP encourages collaborative innovation models, where start-ups, incumbents, and regulators co-create interoperable ecosystems rather than competing in silos. Equally critical is the skills and regulatory readiness gap.
Finally, the broader challenge is one of global alignment. Regulatory fragmentation often slows down innovation, as different jurisdictions impose varying compliance requirements. GAIP’s Policy Advocacy Group is actively working with governments and regulators to harmonize standards, creating an environment where responsible innovation can thrive without compromising on consumer protection or market stability.
In essence, GAIP’s purpose is not just to celebrate technology but to govern its evolution responsibly. We want the world to trust the digital insurance ecosystem the same way it once trusted its neighborhood broker with confidence, transparency and a sense of shared humanity. Because ultimately, the future of InsurTech will be determined not only by how smart our systems become, but by how ethical, inclusive, and human-centered they remain.”
GAIP TV: Amplifying voices and innovations shaping the digital insurance revolution
Building Knowledge to Transform Insurance
Times of Al-Arab: Education seems to be a central pillar of GAIP’s roadmap. How do you envision GAIP Academy shaping the industry?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “Education is empowerment. GAIP Academy is designed to redefine learning for the digital insurance era. While digital transformation is progressing rapidly, human capital development hasn’t always kept pace. The industry lacks sufficient professionals equipped with both technical expertise and domain understanding. That is why GAIP Academy was founded to train professionals who can navigate innovation responsibly and lead with both intelligence and integrity. We are already collaborating with global universities to deliver executive programs and certifications that bridge this talent gap.
Looking ahead, our vision is to establish a Deemed University under the banner of GAIP, dedicated entirely to InsurTech education, research, and innovation. This will be a first-of-its-kind academic institution devoted to shaping a new generation of thought leaders and practitioners who will serve the dynamic and growing InsurTech ecosystem with purpose, ethics, and excellence.
We are collaborating with global universities to offer executive and online certification programs that equip professionals not just with technical skills but also with ethical frameworks to innovate responsibly. Our goal is to make InsurTech education accessible, accredited, and actionable worldwide.”
Pioneering the World’s First Digital Platform
Times of Al-Arab: Can you tell us about GAIP TV – the world’s first digital channel for InsurTech?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “GAIP TV is a bold step toward creating a dedicated global media platform for the InsurTech industry, a space that gives voice to innovators, regulators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders who are redefining the way insurance and technology intersect.
The idea was born from a simple yet powerful realization: while the InsurTech revolution is reshaping the world, there is no single platform exclusively capturing its stories, insights, and breakthroughs. GAIP TV is envisioned to fill that void to amplify the voices driving digital transformation in insurance and to document the human stories behind technological progress.
Through GAIP TV, we aim to showcase live coverage from global InsureTek and GAIP events worldwide, feature founder journeys, policy dialogues and thought leadership discussions, and produce educational documentaries that bring real-world innovations to a global audience. It will be a platform that connects ideas, celebrates creativity and inspires collaboration ultimately becoming the global voice of the digital insurance revolution.
I must take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to Sir Sohan Roy, the Vice Chairman & Board of Director of GAIP, whose explicit support and creative brilliance have been instrumental in transforming this vision into reality. Sir Sohan is not only a successful entrepreneur but also an acclaimed filmmaker whose movie DAM 999 was produced for a noble cause which qualified for the Oscars. His ability to blend art, purpose, and global advocacy has profoundly influenced how we shaped GAIP TV. He helped me see that storytelling, when used responsibly, can be one of the most powerful tools to unite industries and inspire societal change. With Sir Sohan’s guidance and the collective efforts of our GAIP leadership team, GAIP TV is being developed not merely as a broadcasting platform but as a movement for awareness and inclusion. It will spotlight innovation from all corners of the world, bridging academia, policy, and industry through meaningful dialogue and authentic storytelling.
In essence, GAIP TV is not just about news – it is about narratives that inspire transformation. It is about celebrating those who dare to challenge convention, disrupt tradition, and redefine what’s possible when compassion meets technology.”
The Spirit behind GAIP’s Global Momentum
Times of Al-Arab: You often say GAIP is a movement more than an organization. What keeps this movement alive?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “What keeps GAIP alive and growing is not structure or strategy – it is spirit. GAIP was never conceived as a traditional institution bound by offices and hierarchies. It was conceived as a living movement, powered by people who share a belief that insurance and technology, when combined with compassion, can make the world a safer, more inclusive place.
The movement thrives in every student who dreams of designing smarter and more accessible insurance solutions; in every start-up founder who dares to challenge convention to make coverage affordable for the underserved; and in every regulator or policymaker who chooses to embrace innovation rather than resist it. These are the people who breathe life into GAIP’s vision every single day.
I have always believed that true leadership is not about commanding followers but about creating more leaders – individuals who think collectively, act responsibly and innovate purposefully. That is why GAIP operates as an open, collaborative ecosystem. It invites participation, encourages debate and celebrates diversity of thought. The moment people from different backgrounds and disciplines come together under one banner with shared purpose, a movement is born.
I often say, “A vision born in one mind can only survive when it belongs to many hearts.” This is not a phrase – it is a philosophy that defines GAIP. What began as my personal vision has now become a collective conscience of thousands of professionals across continents, all determined to make insurance not only smarter but also fairer, faster and more human.
GAIP’s heartbeat lies in this collective energy – in the unity of professionals who believe that progress is not a zero-sum game, that collaboration is stronger than competition and that technology must ultimately serve humanity. The day this spirit fades, GAIP will become just another institution. But as long as this belief continues to ignite minds and inspire action, GAIP will remain what it was always meant to be – a global movement of purpose, empathy, and transformation.”
Charting GAIP’s Path Forward
Times of Al-Arab: What is the future roadmap for GAIP in the coming years?
Dr. AFTAB Hasan replied, “The next chapter of GAIP’s journey is about deepening our global presence while strengthening local impact. Over the past year, we have laid the foundation of a truly borderless InsurTech ecosystem, and now our focus shifts from creation to consolidation from soft launches to sustained operations.
Each GAIP Chapter has a clearly defined strategic mandate aligned with our six core objectives: education, research, best practices, membership engagement, community building, and advocacy. Together, they form the backbone of GAIP’s future roadmap.
Our headquarters in Dubai (DIFC) will continue to serve as the global policy and thought leadership hub, hosting the annual GAIP – InsureTek International Conference and driving the GAIP Quality Assurance and Policy Advocacy programs. From here, we will harmonize standards, connect regulators, and promote responsible innovation across all regions.
The GAIP UK Chapter will lead on regulatory policy dialogue and governance, bridging collaboration between global regulators, insurers, and technology innovators particularly in the Lloyd’s and London Market.
GAIP Singapore, as our APAC innovation nucleus, will steer education, research, and start-up incubation through the GAIP Academy and GAIP Innovation Fund, creating an East -West bridge for digital transformation.
GAIP India, will remain the knowledge and inclusion hub, leveraging technology to democratize access to insurance for millions through microinsurance, digital literacy, and regional training partnerships.
GAIP Saudi Arabia, will strengthen our MENA innovation corridor, complementing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by fostering InsurTech entrepreneurship, cross-border cooperation, and regulatory modernization.
GAIP Turkey, will act as the Eurasian bridge, focusing on climate resilience, catastrophe coverage, and academic collaboration for future leaders.
GAIP Brazil, our Latin American gateway, will unlock opportunities in parametric and agricultural insurance, building a Pan-Latin InsurTech network rooted in sustainability and financial inclusion.
By 2026, we plan to establish new chapters in the United States, Australia, Japan and China, marking our presence across all major global economies.
- GAIP S. Chapter will focus on venture investment, cyber risk, and InsurTech funding.
- GAIP Australia Chapter, will serve as a bridge between innovation and sustainability, empowering InsurTech start-ups to address emerging environmental and societal risks.
- GAIP Japan Chapter, will lead research on automation, IoT, and ethical AI frameworks.
- GAIP China Chapter, will anchor GAIP’s digital infrastructure network, connecting with its powerful fintech and insurance ecosystems.
Together, these chapters form a cohesive global alliance, interconnected yet regionally empowered. Our vision is to transform GAIP into a worldwide movement of collaborative innovation, where technology not only advances the business of insurance but also uplifts societies deprived of protection against life’s uncertainties.”
A Message to the Next Generation
Lastly we asked, “Finally, what message would you like to share with the next generation of InsurTech professionals?”
“My message to the next generation is simple – never underestimate the power of purpose when aligned with technology. The future of insurance will not be defined merely by algorithms, data models, or digital dashboards. It will be defined by those who can see beyond technology those who understand that every innovation must ultimately serve humanity.
Insurance, at its heart, is an act of compassion, a promise to protect. Technology gives us the power to deliver that promise faster, wider, and more effectively than ever before. But without empathy, ethics, and emotional intelligence, even the smartest technology becomes hollow. The next generation must therefore strive to become “technologists with a heart and professionals with a conscience.”
I urge young professionals to think beyond job titles and profit metrics. Think about the millions still uninsured – farmers losing their crops to floods, families devastated by medical emergencies, small businesses closing after natural disasters. These are not statistics; they are the reasons why InsurTech exists. Every code you write, every product you design, and every policy you automate can change a life somewhere. That is the real power of this industry.
The path ahead will not be easy. You will face regulatory barriers, data challenges, and the constant evolution of digital ecosystems. But innovation has always thrived under pressure. Let curiosity be your compass and integrity your foundation. Surround yourself with mentors, collaborate fearlessly, and never shy away from reimagining the traditional.
Through GAIP, we have created a global platform for you – a space where ideas meet execution, where borders dissolve, and where innovation becomes impact. This organization was never meant to be a monument to the past, but a launchpad for the future. It is now your turn to take this vision – our collective mission – and expand it to dimensions we could only dream of.
Remember, legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we set in motion. The tools, technologies, and opportunities you inherit today are seeds. What you grow from them will define the next era of InsurTech – one that is inclusive, sustainable, and truly global.
So, to the next generation I say:
“Do not aim merely to join the industry – aim to transform it. Be the reason someone, somewhere, sleeps peacefully knowing they are protected. Be the bridge between compassion and computation, between innovation and inclusion. That is how you will take our legacy to the next level.” Dr. AFTAB Hasan concluded
“A one-man vision can turn into a global mission when its purpose is to empower generations yet to come.”
Closing Reflection
As the interview concludes, Dr. AFTAB Hasan’s words resonate with quiet determination:
“A one-man vision can turn into a global mission when its purpose is to empower generations yet to come. GAIP was never about me – it was about all of us, standing together for a compassionate and noble cause.”
Connect with Dr. AFTAB Hasan on LinkedIn
For more information visit GAIP – InsureTek
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