In early 2025, the term “vibe coding” emerged from the world of software development. Coined by artificial intelligence (AI) researcher Andrej Karpathy, it describes a new approach to coding: Instead of writing software line-by-line, developers now guide AI tools with natural-language prompts and iterate their way to the desired product.1 It’s not really programming in…
For The Actuary Canada’s December issue, I am pleased to share the story of Lan Tong, FSA, FCIA, whose life journey has taken her from Vietnam to Toronto. For Lan, early challenges taught her the values of perseverance, adaptability, and sacrifice—all of which have shaped her actuarial and life journeys. In this Q&A, she details…
You’re probably not a recent ASA (or FSA, for that matter), if you remember using any of these: Slide rules Punch cards Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) 8-inch floppies Your company’s actuarial library (full of SOA Commutation Table books, no doubt) Having been retired for a while now, I am starting to reach many life milestones. I was…
November marks Financial Literacy Month in Canada—a timely reminder that, despite unprecedented access to financial information, many Canadians still struggle to make informed decisions, and the gaps vary sharply by age. And while financial decisions are a constant across one’s lifetime, the knowledge needed to navigate them is anything but uniform. From the 25-year-old entering…
Actuaries. Behind the spreadsheets and complex models lies a diverse group of individuals with passions and pursuits that extend far beyond the confines of their offices. As part of The Actuary’s Passions & Personalities series, I was fortunate to connect with one such actuary—Alex Ryan, FSA, FCIA, CERA. Alex’s day job is that of a…
For The Actuary’s November issue, I’m pleased to share the story of Owais Ansari, FSA, Dubai-based CEO with Munich Re for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Pakistan, and Takaful markets. For Owais, actuarial science wasn’t just a career choice—it has become a lifelong passion for solving complex problems and contributing meaningfully to…
In a world increasingly shaped by data and risk, actuaries stand as guardians of financial stability. Yet, many actuaries remain behind the scenes, their voices unheard. Imagine the impact if these analytical minds stepped into the spotlight, sharing their insights not just within their companies, but with the world. Thought leadership does not have to…
Working in a hybrid work model has become a defining characteristic for many actuaries. In 2025, as reports show, many large insurers in the United States will have implemented policies requiring employees, including actuaries, to work from the office 2–3 days per week as part of their hybrid work arrangements. As the hybrid model is…
In this world with sometimes too many, but at other times too few choices, career planning can feel like navigating a jungle. There’s no shortage of stories to tell about these career navigations, and one I’m pleased to bring to The Actuary is my conversation with actuarial consultant Scott Allen, FSA, MAAA. Here, Scott discusses…
Canada’s occupational pension system is at a critical juncture: more Canadians than ever before are managing their own pension savings via registered retirement savings plans and defined contribution pension plans, now holding more than $1.5 trillion nationwide. Many retirees are faced with the consequences of a laissez-faire approach to retirement savings—a by-product of the general…