Key Takeaways
- AI-powered business receives recognition through Waterdrop case.
- Developments in AI technology provides social and commercial impacts on business.
- Waterdrop will double down on AI business models in 2025.
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Harvard Business School Includes AI-Powered Insurance and Healthcare provider Waterdrop Inc. in Case Collection
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Waterdrop’s advancements in AI technology earned the company a place in the collection.
Waterdrop’s advancements in AI technology earned the company a place in the collection.
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Waterdrop Inc. has been included in Harvard Business school’s (HBS) Case Collection. Inducted as a business innovation case, it examines Waterdrop’s advancements in AI technologies empowering systematic innovations. The case will also note how AI drives strategic alterations in insurance and healthcare sectors.
Respected as the gold standard of international teaching cases, the HBS Case Collection provides a worldwide network of business practices such as strategic management and digital transformations. HBS Case Collections provides an essential reference for corporate researchers and international business educators.
Building its case
Professor Li Qi from the School of Management and Economics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, developer of Waterdrop’s case, aims to achieve balance between social and commercial value while offering a “China Solution” for developments in Insurtech. To accomplish this, Waterdrop diversified health protection systems and bolstered operational efficiency.
Waterdrop founder and CEO Shen Peng, was asked about being included in the HBS Case Collection and said, "The recognition validates our unwavering commitment to applying technology for public good. Since its inception, Waterdrop continues to assist families in medical distress through Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding and raise awareness about enhanced protection with health insurance through Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace. Today, we are reshaping the insurance and healthcare service ecosystem with AI. Over the past nine years, we have been committed to bringing insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology."1
AI Powered Business
Waterdrop’s HBS case portrays its advanced Insurtech and healthcare platform in China, and the dedication to provide trustworthy health protection solutions. Integration of insurance coverage and healthcare services have begun across the following Waterdrop subsidiaries:
- Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding
- Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace, E-Find Patient Recruitment
- Waterdrop Financial
- Lugo Visa
Customer service is another aera in which Waterdrop has introduced AI. Baoxiaohui, an AI-powered virtual assistant helps users with policy regulations, inquiries, and management.
Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, an AI-driven platform for medical campaign fundraisers, provides support for over 3.47 million patients using the platform. With an estimated 475 million users supporting campaigns, recognition of the platform’s success has been noted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of The People’s Republic of China.
Crowdfunding isn’t the only business powered by AI, as Waterdrop’s Insurance Marketplace delivers innovative technology with over 1000 affordable and inclusive products, receiving a 95% customer satisfaction rating.
Waterdrop’s application of AI models in its businesses generated nearly a 120% increase in net profit for shareholders in 2024. In response to improved profits, Waterdrop expects to go all in on its AI business strategy in 2025 anticipating growth across all metrics.
Peng acknowledge the recent success stating, "The essence of technological innovation lies in leveraging technology-driven efficiency gains and growth momentum to transform socially conscious solutions into actionable, replicable, and sustainable systems that ultimately help deliver meaningful value to users."1
Sources:
- AI-Powered Insurance and Healthcare: Waterdrop Inc. Included in Harvard Business School Case Collection Waterdrop Inc. July 18, 2025 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-powered-insurance-and-healthcare-waterdrop-inc-included-in-harvard-business-school-case-collection-302508592.html
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