PwC Appoints Dan Priest as Chief AI Officer to Drive AI Adoption

PwC appoints Dan Priest as Chief AI Officer to drive AI adoption

PwC has appointed executive Dan Priest as its Chief AI Officer in a move to further integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the firm’s operations and guide customers in their AI use. Priest, who previously served as the cloud and digital leader at PwC and held VP and CIO roles at Toyota Financial Services, brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

In a statement, Priest highlighted the firm’s focus on unlocking the transformative power of AI to help clients gain a competitive advantage in the market. He emphasized the importance of AI in shaping and disrupting traditional business practices, signaling PwC’s commitment to leveraging AI technology.

The appointment of a Chief AI Officer reflects the growing interest in AI within the enterprise sector. A recent survey by West Monroe identified the Chief AI Officer, Chief Data Officer, and Chief Digital Officer as the top C-suite roles likely to gain prominence in the next five years. As organizations mature technologically, the need for specialized tech leadership roles becomes more apparent.

PwC has been investing heavily in AI, committing $1 billion over three years to enhance customer offerings and internal operations. The firm has already introduced generative AI tools to its employees, such as ChatGPT Enterprise, to improve efficiency and productivity.

Priest’s appointment comes after a 45-day sprint at PwC to conduct an AI impact analysis across various business areas. This initiative, coupled with the My AI training program, will inform the firm’s AI strategy moving forward. Priest emphasized the need to move at “digital speed” to keep pace with technological advancements.

The rise of AI-related leadership roles is not limited to the private sector. The public sector has also seen the emergence of Chief AI Officers, following President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI implementation. Companies like JPMorgan Chase have already appointed Chief Data and Analytics Officers to lead AI adoption efforts.

With Dan Priest at the helm as Chief AI Officer, PwC is poised to drive AI innovation and adoption both internally and for its clients, positioning the firm as a leader in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.