Before we dive into news of the latest employee benefits industry tech products and tools, let’s define a technology that’s been in the news a lot recently: Artificial intelligence.

Webster’s New World Hacker Dictionary (now that’s a title) says it’s this:

 “The branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans by modelling on computers human thoughts. Sometimes AI is meant to solve a problem that a person can solve but do so more efficiently using a computer.”

Used in a sentence: “Will World Series umpires someday be replaced by artificial intelligence that can accurately and without bias determine a strike?"

Think about it, MLB. Now on to benefits technology solutions:

Hixme announced its Insurer Profile Database Tool. It aggregates over 100 data points from nearly 200 insurers, capturing insurer operating procedures, special program features, technology features, and more. Envisioned as "an electronic insurer scorecard," it aims to help people compare profiles of hundreds of insurers offering thousands of plans across the U.S. See Hixme for more.

Millennium Trust Company, a provider of specialized custody and retirement solutions, and Paychex,a provider of retirement recordkeeping services for businesses, are offering a SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees Individual Retirement Account) to employers with 100 or fewer employees. Features include auto-enrollment and investment fiduciary services. See Millennium Trust Company for more.

Wolters Kluwer announced Audit Management on its ComplyTrack platform. Designed for health care compliance professionals, it aims to give health care providers control over the audit lifecycle. It supports organizations of any size or geographic distribution, with automated workflows to respond both proactively and retroactively to auditors while managing multiple rounds of appeals. See Wolters Kluwer for more.

TouchCare has launched its health advocacy business with a data-driven solution that aims to reduce health care costs, increase employee productivity, and cut through the confusion of the American health care system. Members can contact TouchCare Expert Health Assistants by web, phone, email or app anytime a member has a health benefits concern. See TouchCare for more info.

Fairhealthconsumer.org has been enhanced and redesigned by the nonprofit organization FAIR Health. The site offers tools to estimate medical and dental costs; info on insurance basics, choosing health plans, and understanding bills; a glossary of terms, and links to health agencies and organizations. A private-label version is available for employers or health plans to license to share with their employees or members.  See FAIR Health, aka fairhealthconsumer.org.

Deloitte announced it has acquired Bug Insights' human resources analytics rewards optimization offering. With it, clients will be able to find out what their employees value most about their rewards programs. The rewards optimization product uses trade-off analysis and employee preference measurements to probe employees' attitudes to help companies design effective compensation, benefits and rewards programs. See Deloitte for more.