HCLTech signs seven-year strategic partnership with Guardian Life to accelerate AI-led transformation
HCLTech has entered into a seven-year strategic agreement with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) to accelerate the U.S.-based insurer’s AI-powered technology and operations transformation while expanding collaboration on innovation for the insurance sector.
Under the agreement, HCLTech will help Guardian enhance operational efficiency, improve customer and advisor experiences, and develop AI-led solutions and intellectual property for the insurance industry.
The technology company said it will drive technology and talent transformation across data, applications and engineering while improving operational excellence in Guardian’s group benefits, individual protection, retirement and wealth management businesses. The initiative is expected to reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market and enhance service delivery for customers, advisors and distribution partners.
The new agreement builds on an existing partnership between the two companies and broadens their collaboration to advance Guardian’s AI-powered modernization strategy in support of long-term business growth.
As part of the engagement, HCLTech will expand the deployment of its AI Service Transformation Platform, AI Force, to develop and implement agentic AI capabilities across Guardian’s business operations. The platform will support the insurer’s product operating model while creating a more resilient and scalable technology foundation.
In a significant development, HCLTech will also acquire Guardian India, the insurer’s global capability centre, which houses nearly 2,000 employees supporting technology, operations and shared services. Following the acquisition, the employees will join HCLTech as part of a dedicated Strategic Business Unit focused exclusively on supporting Guardian’s technology innovation, engineering excellence and operational transformation.
Steve Rullo, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Guardian, said the partnership marks an important milestone in advancing the company’s operating model and scaling AI across the enterprise.
“Together with HCLTech, we are strengthening how we operate to drive greater consistency and scalability while continuing to invest in the capabilities that differentiate Guardian, strengthen operational excellence, and create value for our customers, policyholders and distribution partners,” he said.
Srinivasan Seshadri, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Financial Services at HCLTech, said the expanded collaboration reinforces the company’s leadership in the insurance sector and reflects the strength of its long-standing relationship with Guardian.
He said the partnership would enable both companies to co-create AI-driven products and intellectual property, strengthen HCLTech’s insurance domain expertise and AI platforms, and help clients achieve sustained business growth.
