Kevin Pledge presented on emerging technologies and the future of insurance distribution. He discussed how technologies like automated underwriting and data analytics can speed up the distribution process and increase acceptance rates. Technologies are shifting control to business users by allowing for rapid product development, deployment across channels, and flexible underwriting approaches through configuration rather than customization. Predictions included more sophisticated data analysis and connectivity to external data sources, as well as greater control given to distributors who may present underwritten cases directly to insurers.