Most of the activity of actuaries with computers to date has been concerned with putting actuarial work on to computers, or—at one stage further back—putting life office data on to a computer data-processing system. This paper attempts to contemplate the next stage, the effect of computer knowledge and familiarity on the profession and its techniques.

In the train of the economic integration of Europe, a lively discussion has, for some time, been carried on about appropriate criteria of solvency for insurance undertakings in respect of life and non-life assurance. The conflict over the proposals for solvency requirements in non-life assurance still occupies the foreground. Here it is the proposed directive put up for discussion by the E.E.C. authorities which is of particular importance. This directive puts forward quantitative conditions for the solvency reserves of companies carrying on non-life business.