TheZebra.com, widely recognized as one of the simplest ways for consumers to compare and purchase insurance, has appointed Daniel Herrington as its new Chief AI Officer. The move signals a strong commitment to embedding artificial intelligence deeper into the company’s products, internal systems, and customer experience strategy.
Herrington brings more than a decade of experience in AI product development, having held senior roles at Google, Vroom, Capital One, and Priceline. His background spans multiple industries, including travel, banking, automotive, and large-scale technology platforms experience that now converges in the insurance space.
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In his new role, Herrington will lead how The Zebra harnesses AI across the organization. That includes enhancing developer workflows, empowering customers with smarter tools, and enabling advisors with better insights. His team is focused on implementing and refining AI-driven systems across engineering, product development, marketing, finance, and legal operations embedding intelligence not just in customer-facing products, but throughout the company’s core infrastructure.
On the consumer side, AI is being used to help shoppers navigate the often confusing world of insurance with greater clarity and personalization. With the average annual auto insurance premium in the U.S. now reaching $2,256, finding the right coverage and uncovering savings opportunities has become increasingly important. The Zebra aims to use AI to simplify that process, making policy comparisons faster, more transparent, and tailored to individual needs. The company’s in-house agency will also benefit from advanced tools designed to better match customers with ideal coverage options.
CEO Keith Melnick noted that Herrington initially worked with the company as an advisor, helping the leadership team separate genuine AI opportunities from industry hype. Impressed by his ability to identify practical, high-impact applications, The Zebra brought him on full time. Melnick emphasized that AI should make buying and managing insurance clearer and more human-centered—not more complicated—and believes Herrington’s experience building large-scale AI systems aligns closely with that mission.
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Herrington’s technical credentials are notable. At Google, he led the CoreML team, contributing to infrastructure used to train and serve the Gemini models—one of the flagship AI initiatives within the company. That experience at the forefront of AI development has shaped his view of where the technology can have meaningful real-world impact.
Now, he sees insurance as fertile ground for transformation. In his words, the sector represents the “next great galaxy” for AI application—an industry filled with complexity, inefficiency, and opportunity for smarter systems. By bringing advanced AI capabilities into insurance comparison and advisory services, The Zebra aims to modernize a process that has historically felt overwhelming to consumers.
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With this appointment, The Zebra is positioning itself not just as an insurance comparison platform, but as an AI-forward insurtech player determined to redefine how Americans shop for and manage coverage in an increasingly data-driven world.
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