How deep learning automates commercial document processing

Written by
Lana Maxwell
Last Updated
November 7, 2023
Read in
8 mins
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  • Deep learning goes beyond traditional OCR — it understands context and structure to accurately extract data from complex, unstructured insurance documents.
  • Pibit.AI's IDP platform uses deep neural networks to handle diverse document formats, poor scan quality, and varied layouts with high accuracy.
  • The result is faster, more reliable submission processing that reduces manual intervention and scales with growing document volumes.

The commercial insurance industry stands at a precipice. For decades, underwriting has been synonymous with manual data entry, endless PDF scrolling, and the tedious task of transcribing unstructured data into structured formats. Today, Generative AI is not just a buzzword—it is the operational lever that top-tier carriers are pulling to gain a competitive edge.

Deep learning revolutionizes IDP, making it more accurate, efficient, and cost-effective. Pibit.ai's IDP platform automates document processing and improves underwriting productivity.

Illustration of AiI robot extracting data from various  documents and devices, representing automated  commercial document processing using  deep learning.

Deep Learning, Explained: What Deep Learning Means for Automated commercial Document Processing.

Today’s new wave of tech innovation — sometimes called the Fourth Industrial Revolution — is comprised of services that use computing to automate tasks in smart and unconventional ways. With artificial intelligence (AI), Insurance industry can improve efficiency and productivity by simulating human intelligence.

A primary advancement in this method of computing is deep learning. Deep learning is an integral part of AI, offering a more complex approach to neural networks.

Businesses large and small can benefit from deep learning technology, which continues to allow for human supervised learning while automating rote and repetitive tasks. Let’s take a look at how deep learning works — and what it means for document processing.

What is Deep Learning?

Deep learning is “a type of machine learning in which neural networks learn by being exposed to vast amounts of data.”

To understand deep learning, it’s important to first understand what a neural network is — and how it works within the realm of machine learning.

The umbrella concept that contains all of these processes (deep learning, neural networks, and machine learning) is a core technology called artificial intelligence. AI automates processes like decision-making, approximation, and prediction that previously only humans could make. Today, AI technologies are used in services ranging from chatbots, to voice assistants, manufacturing automation, and more.

Machine learning is a subset of AI that allows machines to learn over time, with statistical algorithms that make corrections and improvements. Much in the way humans learn, machine learning uses a neural network to identify patterns, and to make predictions.

Deep learning is a type of machine learning. In deep learning, neural networks have three or more layers (including the input layer and the output layer). This allows machines to process large amounts of information, and to perform more complex tasks using multiple nonlinear transformations.

How Deep Learning Works in Modern Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)

Deep learning lies at the heart of modern information processing. Before deep learning revolutionized document processing software, optical character recognition (OCR) required preconfigured templates to identify and process perfectly structured documents. With traditional OCR, variations in format required a new template — or a manual correction.

Intelligent document processing (IDP) uses deep learning to make predictions and approximations — which means an IDP can use its neural network to identify patterns without the use of templates.

By making precise predictions using deep learning, IDP allows businesses to process semi-structured and unstructured data. IDP uses multiple layers of its neural network to structure data that was previously unstructured, and to organize information into meaningful categories.

Deep learning algorithms can learn over time, which means they can extract information more accurately as they gather more data. Instead of setting templates that extract static features, deep learning allows IDP to bring information using an input layer — to process images using multiple deep learning layers — and then to express the result in an output layer.

The Benefits of Using Deep Learning in Modern IDP Solutions

IDP helps to save money, while simultaneously improving the Underwriters experience. As document processing becomes increasingly automated using deep neural networks, employees can reduce the amount of time they spend on rote data processing work — and become supervisors to the IDP process. In this Fourth Industrial Revolution, deep learning is a key strategy for making businesses competitive.

Deep learning has revolutionized the world of intelligent document processing. IDP uses deep learning to identify patterns, and extract features that are important to the task. The end result of this process is that deep learning increases the accuracy of document processing, while also improving its efficiency.

Complex deep learning processes, like convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks, are even using deep learning to analyze vision and speech.

IDP solutions use deep neural networks to quickly become even more accurate than manual processing. In less than a month, an IDP service can learn how to process information with over 98% accuracy — and avoid human error altogether.

Dive Into Deep Learning with Pibit.ai

At Pibit.ai, deep learning is at the heart of IDP technology. By using deep neural networks, our cloud-based document processing can reduce time to value, with a fast deployment time and immediate improvements. As soon as you upload your first few documents with Pibit.ai, its machine learning algorithm immediately begins to improve.

If your business is ready to make the switch to intelligent document processing, our team at Pibit.ai is here to help.It’s a service that’s easy to deploy, easy to supervise, and brings fast results.

For more information on how Pibit.ai works, visit our website — and bring your organization into the future of document processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between deep learning and traditional OCR?

Traditional OCR uses pattern matching to convert images of text into machine-readable characters but struggles with varied formats and poor scan quality. Deep learning goes further by understanding context and structure, enabling it to accurately extract meaningful data even from complex, unstructured insurance documents.

How does deep learning benefit commercial insurance document processing?

Deep learning automates the extraction of key data from loss runs, applications, and accords at scale. It handles diverse document formats consistently, reduces manual data entry errors, and speeds up the entire submission intake process so underwriters can focus on risk evaluation.

Does deep learning require human supervision in document processing?

Deep learning systems learn from human-labeled examples during training, but once deployed they process documents autonomously. Human oversight remains valuable for reviewing edge cases and continuously improving model accuracy as new document types are introduced.

About
Lana Maxwell

Megha is a Senior Product Specialist at Pibit.ai with over 15 years of experience in commercial insurance. She writes about the intersection of InsurTech, AI, and operational efficiency.

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