AI Is Not Your Strategy: Real Talk About Risk and ROI - Ryan Ozonian & Adam Schlesigner | S3E16

AI Is Not Your Strategy: Real Talk About Risk and ROI - Ryan Ozonian & Adam Schlesigner | S3E16

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be reshaping how we approach real estate finance and title insurance, but does that mean professionals in this industry can just set it and forget it? MyHome (a WFG Company) Senior Director of Innovation and AI Ryan Ozonian and First American Data & Analytics Vice President of Product Underwriting Adam Schlesinger took the stage at October Research’s 2026 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) in Kansas City to discuss how organizations should be incorporating AI adoption strategically, starting with targeted use cases, experimenting responsibly and establishing governance frameworks before scaling investments. The discussed with OR Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster the importance of building cross-functional teams that combine technology, operations, compliance and business expertise to ensure successful implementation while keeping ethical and regulatory considerations front and center. Chapters: 2:00 - Industry outlook on AI's future impact 4:13 - The importance of tangible AI application development 6:39 - Material changes AI will bring to title and settlement workflows 8:22 - Customer experience improvements through AI-driven transparency 9:58 - Pace of AI evolution and managing hype cycles 14:36 - Prioritizing AI investments and internal team building 17:57 - Recognizing wasted AI investments and trial pitfalls 20:54 - Regulatory considerations and governance in AI deployment 24:08 - Accountability and liability when using AI tools 27:45 - Building internal AI expertise versus relying on vendors 30:20 - Addressing industry talent gaps with AI and automation Get In Touch… Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]. Episode sponsored by First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com [https://www.firstamtrust.com] Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]

The Future of Trust in an AI World - Eva Velasquez | S3E15

The landscape of fraud and trust has become fraught with advancing threats from artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes and synthetic identities. Eva Velasquez from the Identity Theft Resource Center joined Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster to discuss the psychologically of scam artists and how trust infrastructure must adapt to new digital threats. She explained why human relationships are more important than ever when trying to build trust with clients and customers in today’s environment and practical advice for how companies and consumers can better safeguard themselves through best practices and continuous education. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction 1:32 - Trust as an evolving infrastructure, not a dying concept 3:47 - The importance of maintaining human relationships 9:12 - Changing foundation signals: moving from static data to behavioral signals 13:42 - The difference between digital avatars and synthetic identities 16:32 - The increasing scale of AI-driven fraud and misuse 20:32 - Building trust through transparency and transparent processes 21:47 - The role of friction in balancing trust and security 24:17 - Practical steps for family and professional precautions 27:17 - The regulatory landscape and the need for proactive measures 28:47 - The future of trust: human-centric, process-driven, AI-aware For more on the Identity Theft Resource Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/contact-us/ [https://www.idtheftcenter.org/contact-us/] For the ITRC’s Victim Help Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-center/ [https://www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-center/] Get In Touch… Guest email: itrc@idtheftcenter.org Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]. Episode sponsored by First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com [https://www.firstamtrust.com] Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]

The Psychology of Modern Fraud - Eva Velasquez | S3E14

In a world where everyone seems to want things to move faster and faster, when it comes to safeguarding your business against fraud, sometimes speed is not what you need. Listen as Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, shares insights on how fraudsters now exploit human psychology and trust, making traditional verification methods less effective with Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster. They explore how the landscape of fraud and trust is transforming alongside developments in technology and why real estate companies may be able to rebrand their people-centric business model as a major plus in a world that may soon get tired of always talking to machines. Discover practical strategies to reinforce trust, apply friction and adapt to this rapidly changing environment in this episode. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction 1:15 – The impact of fraud on high-value transactions like real estate 2:26 – Moving from technical exploits to psychological manipulation 4:20 – Recognizing vulnerabilities beyond demographics 7:31 – Embracing friction and trust in digital processes 9:04 – Moving beyond perception-based verification 13:44 - Emotional and trust breaches in identity fraud 20:17 - The risk of rushing transactions and the value of slowing down 24:34 - Restoring trust through personal relationships and transparency 29:29 - Challenging assumptions about transaction speed and urgency 32:05 - The importance of layered, process-based verification For more on the Identity Theft Resource Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/ [https://www.idtheftcenter.org/] For the ITRC’s Victim Help Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-center/ [https://www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-center/] Get In Touch… Guest email: itrc@idtheftcenter.org Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]. Episode sponsored by First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com [https://www.firstamtrust.com] Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]

Are Title Agencies Underinsured Against Today’s Threats? - Casey Withers | S3E13

Does your insurance policy cover what you think it does? Dive into the world of E&O policies and risk management strategies with Casey Withers, program executive at TIAC, and Mary Schuster, chief knowledge officer at October Research. Discover practical insights for evaluating your coverage plan that go beyond simply talking about the premium. There are important industry-specific policies you may not be fully abreast of that could be life-savers – or business savers, at least – in the face of evolving cyber threats and other risks that could severely impact your agency. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new in the field, this episode offers critical advice to safeguard your business. Chapters: 2:30 – Beyond premium: evaluating insurance providers 8:39 – Key elements in selecting a coverage policy 13:21 – Emerging cyber risks and claims trends 15:39 – Insuring against wire fraud 18:15 – New insurance products: surety bonds and cyber options 24:28 – When to start renewal conversations 26:29 – Questions to ask before signing your policy For more about TIAC: https://tiacrrg.com/ [https://tiacrrg.com/] Get In Touch… Guest email: info@tiacrrg.com Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]. Episode sponsored by First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com [https://www.firstamtrust.com] Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]

Inside TIAC: The Insurance Mistakes Title Agents Don’t Realize They’re Making - Casey Withers | S3E12

What happens when an entire industry realizes the insurance marketplace may no longer understand its business? That question led title professionals to build TIAC — a title-specific E&O program built by title people, for title people. In this episode of Keys to Real Estate, TIAC Program Executive Casey Withers breaks down the fundamentals of title agency coverage, risk retention groups, claims-made policies and the insurance details many professionals don’t discover until they’re already in trouble. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Casey Withers and TIAC’s history in the title industry 2:05 - The origins of TIAC and industry crises in the 1980s 4:15 - What makes TIAC different: industry focus and tailored solutions 6:30 - The importance of title-specific E&O and understanding policy nuances 8:45 - Claims-made policies, retroactive dates, and coverage gaps 11:00 - Common misconceptions: cyber coverage, exclusions, and claim processes 13:20 - Emerging risks: cyber threats, wire fraud, and bonds in the industry 15:50 - Evaluating insurance providers: longevity, claims handling, and endorsements 18:10 - The model of risk retention groups: ownership, governance, and benefits 20:25 - How agencies should assess limits, deductibles, and renewal timing 23:10 - Final advice: stay proactive, ask questions, and review coverage regularly For more about TIAC: https://tiacrrg.com/ Get In Touch… Guest email: info@tiacrrg.com Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]. Episode sponsored by First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com [https://www.firstamtrust.com] Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com [https://www.octoberresearch.com]