The AI Paradox: How Can Something So Smart Be So Energy-Hungry?
Release Date: 12/30/2024
Rethinking Water Part 4: Smarter Water Management for Sustainability
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
While advanced water monitoring offers clear benefits, most commercial buildings have yet to adopt it. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy wraps up his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss HSB’s partnership with WINT, how emerging regulations are driving adoption, and the impact of smarter water management on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) scores and overall building sustainability.
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Rethinking Water Part 3: From Construction Sites to Commercial Buildings
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Construction projects face some of the highest risks for water damage—often from temporary water lines or late-stage leaks. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy and Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, examine how water monitoring can be applied in different scenarios—from construction sites to fully integrated building systems—and what these use cases reveal about managing risk in modern buildings.
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Rethinking Water Part 2: Uncovering Hidden Leaks with Data
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Roughly a quarter of the water flowing into commercial buildings is lost to unnoticed leaks and inefficiencies. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy continues his discussion with Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, about what’s behind this hidden waste and how technology can help uncover it. They discuss the role of data, sensors, and AI in understanding water use patterns and reducing risk for property owners and insurers.
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Rethinking Water Part 1: Tackling Water Waste with AI
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Water leaks are among the most costly and common insurance claims in commercial buildings—but smart technology can change that. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy is joined by Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at WINT, to discuss how data and AI are transforming water use in buildings and the implications for property management, insurance, and sustainability.
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Rethinking Hurricanes: Sea Level Rise & The Future of Hurricane Technology
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Sea level rise and climate change are reshaping the risks from hurricanes—but what does that really mean for coastal cities and communities? In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the impact of rising seas, the potential for stronger storms, and innovative—but challenging—technologies designed to mitigate hurricane damage. They explore everything from artificial upwelling and bubble curtains to advanced forecasting tools and AI, offering insights into how science and tech are helping us prepare for the future of hurricanes.
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Rising Storms, Rising Costs: Why Billion-Dollar Disasters Keep Growing
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Hurricane seasons are bringing more named storms and billion-dollar disasters—but why? In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach break down the factors behind rising storm counts, the role of better detection, and why growing exposure drives higher damages. They also explore how stronger building codes and smarter planning can help—and what recent storms like Ida (2021) and Helene (2024) reveal about shifting risks.
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20 Years After Katrina: Lessons from Historic Hurricane Seasons
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, still remembered as one of the costliest and most devastating storms in history. On this episode, host Jeff O’Shaughnessy and Dr. Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University reflect on the record-breaking 2005 hurricane season, how it reshaped forecasting, and what made storms like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma so destructive. They also explore how storm formation patterns impact risk, why seasons like 2017 (Harvey, Irma, Maria) and 2024 defied expectations, and what history can teach us about the unpredictability of peak hurricane...
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The Science Behind Hurricane Forecasts: Accuracy, Challenges, and How They’ve Changed
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
How accurate are seasonal hurricane forecasts, and what goes into predicting the number and strength of storms? In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy talks with Dr. Phil Klotzbach about the challenges of predicting named storms versus hurricanes, the significance of metrics like Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), the limitations of seasonal forecasts, and how forecasting has evolved over the past decade.
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Inside Hurricanes: El Niño, La Niña, and Why Location Matters
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Hurricanes aren’t just storms—they’re a lifelong passion for Dr. Phil Klotzbach. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy sits down with Dr. Klotzbach to explore his journey from growing up in Massachusetts, inspired by Hurricane Gloria and Hurricane Bob, to becoming a leading hurricane researcher at Colorado State University. Phil shares how he began studying hurricanes, his work with the legendary Dr. Bill Gray, and the science behind how El Niño and La Niña influence hurricane activity.
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Hurricane Season 2025: August Outlook & How 2-Week Forecasts Keep You Prepared
HSB's New Ways of Thinking
Hurricanes remain one of the most challenging catastrophes for insurers to prepare for—and predict. In this episode, Jeff O’Shaughnessy is joined by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University and a leading authority on hurricane forecasting. They unpack the August 2025 hurricane outlook, why this season is expected to be slightly above normal, and how the absence of El Niño, warmer Atlantic waters, and shifting wind shear patterns are shaping storm activity. Phil also explains the value of 2-week forecasts and why a small number of major storms cause most...
info_outlineIn the last episode focused on AI, Jeff O'Shaughnessy and Naveen Agarwal explores the intersection of energy efficiency and AI, highlighting the high energy costs of powering AI systems like GPT. He discusses the development of fusion energy as a potential solution, but notes that this technology is still in its infancy. Agarwal also speaks about the risks that AI poses to the insurance industry, including new exposures and liabilities related to AI decision-making. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for humans to adapt and build alongside AI in order to succeed.