A significant political debate is unfolding over the regulation of artificial intelligence in health insurance, pitting states against former President Donald Trump. Trump advocates for less regulation to foster AI innovation, while numerous states are enacting laws to oversee AI use in the sector. Last year, Arizona, Maryland, Nebraska, and Texas passed relevant legislation, building on efforts by Illinois and California the year prior. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also supports an "AI Bill of Rights" for ethical development. Health insurers like Cigna and Optum deny using AI for claim denials, asserting it improves approval speeds, but groups such as the American Medical Association back state initiatives for greater transparency and accountability.
In the tech industry, TheZebra.com, an insurance technology company, has appointed Daniel Herrington as its new Chief AI Officer. Herrington previously led Google's CoreML team, where he contributed to the infrastructure for Gemini models. In his new role, he will guide The Zebra's AI strategy to enhance developer experience, empower customers, and support advisors. CEO Keith Melnick expressed confidence that AI will make the insurance buying process clearer, faster, and more personalized for consumers.
OpenAI has made a strategic acquisition, purchasing OpenClaw, signaling a potential shift in the AI industry from traditional chatbots to autonomous agents. Peter Steinberger, who created OpenClaw (initially "ClawdBot"), developed an agent capable of combining tool access, code execution, memory, and messaging integration to perform tasks rather than just converse. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed Steinberger's hiring to lead the development of next-generation personal agents, a move noted by LangChain CEO Harrison Chase for OpenClaw's rapid growth and innovative approach.
Further AI developments include University of Missouri researchers creating an AI tool for melanoma detection, achieving nearly 93% accuracy by combining three models. The UAE is also rapidly integrating AI into enterprise operations, with over 70% of organizations reporting productivity gains. Additionally, Rollick, Inc. launched an AI Assistant for powersports shoppers to engage customers and facilitate sales on OEM websites. However, generative AI faces strong criticism, with an opinion piece highlighting concerns about plagiarism, misinformation, environmental harm, and the use of stolen art, suggesting that work relying on these tools is often inferior.
Key Takeaways
- States are actively regulating AI use in health insurance, with Arizona, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, and California passing laws, contrasting with former President Trump's call for deregulation.
- TheZebra.com hired Daniel Herrington, who previously led Google's CoreML team and worked on Gemini models, as its new Chief AI Officer.
- The Zebra's CEO, Keith Melnick, anticipates AI will make the insurance buying process clearer, faster, and more personalized for consumers.
- OpenAI acquired OpenClaw, a move indicating a strategic shift towards developing autonomous AI agents capable of performing tasks beyond conversation.
- Peter Steinberger, OpenClaw's creator, was hired by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to lead the development of next-generation personal agents.
- University of Missouri researchers developed an AI tool for melanoma detection, achieving nearly 93% accuracy using an ensemble model.
- The UAE is deeply integrating AI into enterprise sales and operations, with over 70% of organizations using AI and more than 75% reporting productivity gains.
- Rollick, Inc. introduced the Rollick AI Assistant to help powersports OEMs engage online shoppers, answer questions, and generate leads.
- An opinion piece criticizes generative AI for issues like plagiarism, misinformation, environmental harm, and the use of stolen art, arguing that AI-generated work is often inferior.
- Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch discussed the company's future growth and AI strategy during an interview at the India AI Impact Summit.
States and Trump Clash Over AI Insurance Rules
The use of artificial intelligence by health insurers is causing a political fight between states and former President Trump. Trump wants less regulation to encourage AI innovation, while many states are passing laws to control AI in health insurance. States like Arizona, Maryland, Nebraska, and Texas passed laws last year, with Illinois and California doing so the year before. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis also supports an "AI Bill of Rights" for ethical development. Health insurers like Cigna and Optum deny using AI for claim denials, stating it improves approval speed. However, groups like the American Medical Association support state efforts to make AI use more transparent and accountable.
States Unite to Regulate AI in Health Insurance
States across the US, both Republican and Democratic, are pushing to regulate how health insurers use artificial intelligence. This effort puts them at odds with former President Donald Trump, who believes states should not hinder AI innovation with too many rules. Last year, Arizona, Maryland, Nebraska, and Texas passed laws to control AI in health insurance, following Illinois and California the year before. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also supports an "AI Bill of Rights" for ethical technology use. Health insurers like Cigna and Optum deny using AI for claim denials, saying it helps speed up approvals. However, the American Medical Association and lawmakers like Alex Bores support state regulations to ensure transparency and accountability from insurers.
The Zebra Hires Google AI Expert Daniel Herrington
TheZebra.com, an innovative insurance technology company, has hired Daniel Herrington as its new Chief AI Officer. Herrington previously led Google's CoreML team, where he helped develop the infrastructure for Gemini models. In his new role, he will guide how The Zebra uses AI to improve developer experience, empower customers, and support advisors. His team will also implement AI tools across various company functions, including engineering, marketing, and legal. CEO Keith Melnick believes AI will make buying insurance clearer, faster, and more personalized for consumers. Herrington sees the insurance industry as a prime area for AI transformation.
The Zebra Appoints Daniel Herrington as Chief AI Officer
TheZebra.com, a platform for comparing auto and home insurance, announced Daniel Herrington as its new Chief AI Officer. Herrington brings over ten years of experience in AI product development, including senior roles at Google, Vroom, Capital One, and Priceline. At Google, he led the CoreML team and worked on the infrastructure for Gemini models. In his new position, Herrington will lead The Zebra's AI strategy, focusing on improving customer experience, empowering advisors, and optimizing internal operations. CEO Keith Melnick stated that AI will make the insurance buying process clearer, faster, and more personalized for consumers.
Health Insurers AI Use Under Scrutiny
The STAT's AI Prognosis newsletter, published on February 18, 2026, focuses on how health insurers are using artificial intelligence. This edition explores the ongoing discussion and concerns surrounding the deployment of AI technologies within the health care and medicine sectors. It aims to provide insights into who is monitoring these applications and their potential impact.
MU Researchers Create AI Tool for Skin Cancer Detection
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an artificial intelligence tool to detect melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Kamal Singh, an associate research professor and study director, led the team that trained an AI model using over 440,000 images. By combining three models into an "ensemble model," they achieved nearly 93% accuracy in detecting melanoma. The goal is to help medical professionals speed up diagnoses and allow patients to get early information, not to replace doctors. The project started in May 2024, and the team is now developing a phone app and submitting their research paper for publication.
Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch Interviewed on CNBC
CNBC aired a full interview with Arthur Mensch, the CEO of Mistral AI, on February 18, 2026. The interview took place during the India AI Impact Summit. Mensch discussed important topics such as Mistral AI's future growth plans, its position in the competitive AI market, and the company's overall artificial intelligence strategy.
OpenAI Acquires OpenClaw for Autonomous AI Agents
OpenAI has acquired OpenClaw, a move that suggests a shift in the AI industry from chatbots to autonomous agents. Peter Steinberger created OpenClaw, which began as "ClawdBot" in November 2025. This agent combined tool access, code execution, memory, and messaging integration, allowing it to perform tasks rather than just converse. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed Steinberger's hire to lead the development of next-generation personal agents. Harrison Chase, CEO of LangChain, noted OpenClaw's rapid growth and "unhinged" approach, which resonated with developers. This acquisition highlights OpenAI's focus on AI that can act and complete tasks for users.
UAE Accelerates AI Use in Enterprise Sales
Artificial intelligence is becoming deeply integrated into enterprise operations in the UAE, moving from experiments to practical use in sales, forecasting, and customer engagement. This aligns with the UAE's national focus on applied AI and automation, including the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. Over 70% of UAE organizations already use AI, with more than 75% reporting productivity gains. Seel, a B2B sales optimization platform, has entered the UAE market to support complex sales processes. Seel's platform helps coordinate buyers and sellers, aiming to reduce friction and improve sales performance. Steven Kinvi, Seel's CEO, states that applied AI is most effective when it solves real business problems and integrates easily.
Rollick Launches AI Assistant for Powersports Shoppers
Rollick, Inc., a company providing digital solutions for outdoor recreation industries, has introduced the Rollick AI Assistant. This new tool uses conversational AI to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) engage online shoppers more effectively. The AI Assistant will be on OEM websites, allowing customers to ask questions, explore products, and search local dealer inventory in real time. It will also hand off conversations to sales representatives as leads, complete with chat history. The assistant is trained on Rollick's own data, making it specific to powersports, RV, marine, and industrial equipment brands. Rollick plans to integrate this AI into dealer websites and marketplaces like Sam's Club in the future.
Generative AI Faces Strong Criticism
This opinion piece argues that generative AI tools are not truly beneficial and have several negative impacts. The author observes AI's widespread presence, even at a liberal university, despite concerns about plagiarism, misinformation, and environmental harm. Common excuses for using AI, such as being busy or using it minimally, are challenged. The article points out that AI-generated study materials can come from unreliable sources, and AI writing is often bland or spreads false information, leading to "AI Psychosis." The author, an artist, also criticizes AI image generation for using stolen art and producing "mindless slop." Ultimately, the piece suggests that work relying on generative AI is inherently inferior and harmful.
Sources
- Trump and states in a tug of war over insurance and AI
- Red and Blue States Alike Want To Limit AI in Insurance. Trump Wants To Limit the States.
- TheZebra.com Welcomes Former Google Product Leader Daniel Herrington as Chief AI Officer
- TheZebra.com Hires Former Google Product Leader as Chief AI Officer
- AI Prognosis: Who's keeping tabs on how health insurers are using AI?
- MU researchers develop AI tool to detect skin cancer
- Watch CNBC's full interview with Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch
- OpenAI's acquisition of OpenClaw signals the beginning of the end of the ChatGPT era
- ZAWYA-PRESSR: AI moves deeper into enterprise sales as the UAE accelerates applied automation
- Rollick Introduces New AI Assistant - Motorcycle & Powersports News
- There’s no such thing as good AI
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