HCLTech and Guardian Expand Partnership for AI-Driven Modernization
HCLTech and Guardian Life Insurance Company have signed a new seven-year agreement, expanding their partnership to drive AI-powered modernization in technology and operations. The deal includes the transfer of Guardian's India operations to HCLTech.
HCLTech, a global technology company, and Guardian Life Insurance Company of America have formalized an expanded seven-year agreement to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for modernizing technology and operations. This collaboration aims to support Guardian's long-term business growth by enhancing efficiency and customer experiences.
The expanded partnership includes HCLTech acquiring Guardian India, a global capability center with approximately 2,000 employees. These employees will join HCLTech, forming a dedicated Strategic Business Unit solely focused on supporting Guardian's technological transformation, operational excellence, and product innovation. Guardian India's current head, Karunakaran Azhisur, will lead this new unit within HCLTech.
HCLTech will deploy its AI Force platform to implement AI-driven capabilities, including agent management, across Guardian's business lines such as group benefits, individual protection, and wealth management. The objective is to streamline operations, accelerate time-to-market for new solutions, and ensure continued high-quality experiences for customers and partners.
Guardian expects this expanded collaboration to drive operational consistency and scalability, leading to cost reductions and faster product delivery. Both companies anticipate co-creating intellectual property and solutions that will benefit the insurance sector and strengthen HCLTech's AI and operational modernization expertise.