How to Vet AI Vendors and New Strategies Without Getting Left Behind In this episode of the Benefits Broker Boost Podcast, Plansight CMO Adam Smith sits down with Chris Vanderwolk, Director of Compliance and Innovation at OneDigital, for one of the most practically useful conversations the podcast has produced. Chris brings deep legal and compliance expertise, along with a genuine passion for innovation, and the result is a framework that every broker can apply immediately. The Compliance and Innovation Tension Chris's title pits two forces in direct tension, and that tension is intentional. As he explains it, innovation asks what we should do next, while compliance asks how we do it right. Brokers who lean too far toward innovation without compliance expose their clients to real risk. Those who lean too far toward compliance without innovation show up with outdated solutions and lose clients to competitors who are moving faster. The goal is to hold both, and this episode is a roadmap for doing exactly that. Why Polish Is No Longer a Signal of Legitimacy One of the most important shifts in the current environment is that a professional-looking website or demo no longer means anything on its own. With AI enabling the creation of a polished product in hours, brokers need a sharper filter. Chris's advice is to stop evaluating the pitch and start asking for the source documents. For software, that means the actual SOC 2 report, not the badge. For strategies, it means the statute, the tax code section, or the legal analysis behind the claim. Brokers who are pressure-testing AI before the demo ends are already ahead of most of the field. The BAA as an Instant Disqualifier For any software vendor operating in the benefits space, the Business Associate Agreement is the first test. A vendor who does not know what a BAA is, or who refuses to sign one, is probably not serious about working in benefits. A vendor who says they will sign whatever you put in front of them is also a red flag. A legitimate partner will already have one ready. Chris also reminds brokers that PHI is broader than most people assume. It includes enrollment data, billing inputs, and communication materials. Every system that touches that data needs coverage. Brokers who are serious about choosing the right AI for their stack need this kind of filter in place before they ever get to a contract conversation. Plansight is the only end-to-end benefits marketing platform that uses AI and automation to ensure every renewal and RFP is consistent, accurate, and fast, and it is built to meet that standard from the ground up. Two Red Flags That Should Stop You in Your Tracks Chris outlines two filters for evaluating any new strategy or vendor. First, if it feels too good to be true, go look harder. The ERC wave, VA disability schemes, and double-dip tax pitches are all examples of legitimate programs that got weaponized by bad actors. Second, if the only people calling it a great idea are the ones who profit from your agreement, that is a serious red flag. The answer is to build a trusted council of advisors with no financial stake in the outcome. NABIP chapters, LinkedIn connections, and general agency relationships are all good places to start. Brokers who are focused on moving beyond the status quo will find that the vetting habits Chris describes here are the foundation for everything else. Moving Fast Without Breaking Things The anxiety brokers feel about falling behind in AI is real, but Chris offers a perspective worth holding onto. The benefits industry has never seen a second mover go out of business. The self-funding wave, the ACA transition, every major shift in the industry rewarded brokers who vetted carefully and moved with confidence, not just those who moved first. His framework: do not panic, be a fast follower, run a pilot with one innovative client, and build the case study before you roll it out broadly. Brokers who are ready to put AI to work without adding complexity to an already full plate will find that starting with the right problem makes all the difference. The One Habit That Changes Everything Adam asked Chris for a single habit brokers could take from this conversation. His answer: check the primary sources. Not the website. Not the sales pitch. The statute, the audit, the plan document. That is where peace of mind lives, and it is a habit that costs nothing to build. Brokers who are ready to stop operating as data entry clerks and start operating as true consultants will find that this habit is the first step in that shift. Ready to Streamline Your Renewal Process? Plansight is the only end-to-end benefits marketing platform that uses AI and automation to ensure every renewal and RFP is consistent, accurate, and fast. By taking the manual work out of benefit planning, Plansight helps you stay ahead of the curve and deliver faster, smarter results to your clients. Visit Plansight to learn more and schedule a discovery call.
