summer school

Deep Learning for Actuarial Modeling

 

 

Milano


Formazione continua

Lifelong Learning

BANKING, FINANCE AND INSURANCE

This summer school aims to give an overview and an introduction to the latest developments in this field of actuarial modelling.
We start by providing a solid technical basis on statistical modeling by introducing the familiar framework of generalized linear models (GLMs), which is based on the exponential dispersion family (EDF) of distributions. This family contains the most important distributions for regression modelling in actuarial science, such as the Poisson model, the gamma model, and Tweedie's model.
 

Objectives

Based on the GLM, we dive into deep learning. The first extension considered is a classical feed-forward neural network (FNN), which can be obtained by a straightforward modification of a GLM. The main extension concerns that the original covariates are replaced by a so-called feature extractor, which is a deep learning tool that performs representation learning on the original covariates, aiming at extracting the most relevant information for prediction. Furthermore, we discuss fitting these enhanced regression models, as well as mitigating statistical biases. This gives us a solid basis for the subsequent chapters.
A crucial technique in deep learning is entity embedding, which is especially useful when dealing with many categorical covariates that are of high cardinality.

We discuss methods, which form the main tool to bring covariate information into a suitable tensor structure for more advanced deep learning tools. These are then presented, like the recently developed attention layers and transformers, which are the core deep learning modules in large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. We also discuss the credibility transformer, which integrates Bühlmann credibility into the transformer architecture. This credibility mechanism improves model fitting and it integrates explainable features into the transformer architecture.
This summer school is completed by discussing several special deep learning architectures, such as the LocalGLMnet, which aims at mimicking the behaviour of a GLM, in-context learning (ICL), foundation models or negative sampling.
This school is supported by hands-on exercises in R and Python. We have prepared many different notebooks that illustrate different aspects of our methodological presentations.

Programme

MONDAY

8.30 - 10.30  Reception Desk + Coffee break + Networking

10.30 - 11.00 OPENING / Introductory Lecture

11.00 - 12.30  Lecture 1

12.30 - 14.30  Lunch

14.30 - 16.00  Lecture 2

16.00 - 16.45  Coffee Break

16.45 - 18.15  Exercise 1

 

TUESDAY   

8.30 - 9.00  Reception Desk    

9.00 - 10.30  Lecture 3    

10.30 - 11.15  Coffee Break       

11.15 - 12.30  Lecture 4    

12.30 - 14.30  Lunch    

14.30 - 16.00  Lecture 5    

16.00 - 16.45  Coffee Break    

16.45 - 18.15  Exercise 2    

 

WEDNESDAY

8.30 - 9.00  Reception Desk

9.00 - 10.30  Lecture 6

10.30 - 11.15  Coffee Break

11.15 - 12.30  Lecture 7

12.30 - 14.30  Lunch

 

THURSDAY

8.30 - 9.00  Reception Desk

9.00 - 10.30  Lecture 8

10.30 - 11.15  Coffee Break

11.15 - 12.30  Lecture 9

12.30 - 14.30  Lunch

14.30 - 16.00  Lecture 10

16.00 - 16.45  Coffee Break

16.45 - 18.15  Exercise 3

 

FRIDAY

8.30 - 9.00  Reception Desk

9.00 - 10.30  Lecture 11

10.30 - 11.15  Coffee Break

11.15 - 12.30  Lecture 12

12.30 - 14.30  Lunch

14.30 - 16.00  Exercise 4 (or Closing remarks)

CLOSING remarks

 

 

Key features

Instructors from renowned academics and global experts in the field

Exposure to cutting-edge deep learning techniques specifically tailored to actuarial modeling

Detailed case studies demonstrating the practical application of advanced methods in actuarial practice

Access to exclusive resources, such as course materials, research papers, and codes

Multidisciplinary approach integrating actuarial science, data science, and machine learning

Opportunities for networking with professionals from diverse backgrounds

Hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques used in actuarial modeling

Actuaries can earn continuing professional development (CPD) credits

Interaction with other professionals to establish valuable networks

Info point

Who should attend

This program is designed for actuaries, data scientists, and professionals in related fields who are interested in enhancing their skills in deep learning and actuarial modeling.

Prerequisites 
The participants should have basic knowledge in probability theory, statistics and actuarial modeling. They should be familiar with R and/or Python. Practical experience is an advantage, but not necessary.

Where and when

From Monday, August 31st, 2026 to Friday, September 4th, 2026.

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy

For directions, click here

Fees

(VAT incl.):
€1400,00 early bird enrolments by March 31 st, 2026
€1700,00 enrolments from April 1st, 2026

To register click here

Fees include:
• Course materials
• Coffee breaks
• Lunches

Faculty

Mario Wüthrich 
Professor in the Department of Mathematics at ETH Zurich. He is Actuary SAA (2004), Editor-in-Chief of the ASTIN Bulletin (since 2018) and he is Senior Scientific Advisor of insureAI. Moreover, he was teaching the International Summer Schools 2010 and 2025 in Lausanne on stochastic claims reserving methods and deep learning.

 

Ron Richman
Founder and CEO of insureAI. Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), holds practicing certificates in Short Term Insurance and Life Insurance from ASSA, a Masters of Philosophy in Actuarial Science, with distinction, from the University of Cape Town and a PhD in applying deep learning in actuarial science at the University of the Witwatersrand.

 


Salvatore Scognamiglio

Assistant Professor of Actuarial Mathematics at University of Naples “Parthenope.” Awards and grants from the International Actuarial Association for his research activity, and he has taught in the 2025 International Summer Schools in Lausanne and Warsaw, focusing on deep learning for actuarial modelling.
 

 

Marco Maggi 
Pricing Actuary at la Mobilière and PhD Student in Actuarial Science at the University of Lausanne. 
He is a Fully Qualified Actuary of the Swiss Association of Actuaries (SAA) and holds a MSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Lausanne.

 

LOCAL COMMITTEE

Gian Paolo Clemente
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Francesco Della Corte
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Alice Pignatelli di Cerchiara
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 

Nino Savelli
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 

Diego Zappa
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 

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