Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, through its European subsidiary AND-E, has acquired the AI consulting division of Mind Foundry, effectively integrating the team into the Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford. This acquisition marks the end of the joint venture structure established at the Lab’s launch in 2022 and aims to consolidate applied AI development, research, and delivery into a unified framework in Oxford.
The integration comes at a critical juncture for AI applications across diverse sectors, particularly in insurance, public infrastructure, and risk management. This shift reflects a strategic move towards enhancing synergies between academic research, commercial deployment, and long-term skills development in AI-intensive industries.
Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford was initially created as a joint venture involving Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, AND-E, and Mind Foundry, which is an Oxford University spin-off. The acquisition formalizes the transition of Mind Foundry’s AI consulting business into the Lab, encompassing staff, contracts, and intellectual property. The consolidation involves over 20 Oxford-based researchers who will now collaborate as a singular team, merging insurance expertise with applied machine learning and data science.
The Lab will continue its partnership with the University of Oxford and is guided by an academic board featuring Mind Foundry co-founders Professor Stephen Roberts and Professor Michael A. Osborne. Junichi Ikegami, CEO of Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford, emphasized the evolving role of AI, stating, “Insurance plays a pivotal role in helping people navigate some of the biggest challenges facing our planet and our communities.” He added, “By integrating Mind Foundry’s AI consulting capability more deeply into the Lab, AND-E is demonstrating its commitment to cutting-edge innovation that delivers both business value and tangible benefits for society.”
To date, the Lab has successfully applied AI to tackle practical challenges such as fraud detection, claims handling, and road safety. According to AND-E, projects executed in the UK have resulted in a two percent reduction in overall claims costs, a five-fold increase in retained automated fraud referrals, and a 120 percent improvement in fraud detection metrics. In Japan, AI systems have been developed to identify early signs of cognitive decline in drivers, as well as tools aimed at assisting local governments with the inspection and management of aging infrastructure, including bridges.
Reflecting on the Lab’s trajectory, Professor Michael A. Osborne noted, “In its first three years, the Lab has laid the groundwork for applying AI both to insurance and to broader societal challenges such as risks to biodiversity.” He expressed enthusiasm for entering a new phase enriched by strong backing from Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance and deep ties to the University of Oxford. Similarly, Professor Stephen Roberts highlighted the Lab’s commitment to ensuring that algorithms function harmoniously within society, noting its focus on applications in risk mitigation and sustainability.
Leaders at Mind Foundry have publicly acknowledged the acquisition, offering insights into the transition. Davide Zilli, Chief Technology Officer at Mind Foundry, commented on LinkedIn that the move signifies a continuity rather than a disruption, stating, “It’s not a fresh start… Now we are one team.” Lindsay Chadwick, CEO of Mind Foundry, framed the acquisition as a strategic narrowing of focus, emphasizing, “Today marks a significant milestone for Mind Foundry as we consolidate our focus on applied machine learning for defence and national security.”
For AND-E, the acquisition positions the Oxford Lab as a core AI capability within the broader MS&AD Insurance Group, with an expanded remit that includes insurance, mobility, and societal resilience. This consolidation underscores the growing significance of long-term applied AI environments where research, workforce development, and real-world deployment are increasingly intertwined.
See also
Google Gemini 3 Launches with Advanced AI Tools for Writing, Research, and File Analysis
AMD Launches Helios AI System, Targets $280 Price with Strong Growth Potential
Howard University Leverages AI to Combat Urban Flooding and Lead Contamination Risks
Machine Learning Enhances Autism Diagnosis, Reveals New Genetic Insights and Treatment Strategies
AI Agents Become Co-Scientists at Agents4Science, Paving New Research Frontiers
