HSBC Names First Chief AI Officer

HSBC has appointed its first Chief AI Officer, elevating David Rice from his previous role as COO of the bank’s corporate and institutional division. The move signals HSBC’s intensified push to embed artificial intelligence across its global operations.

The appointment aligns with HSBC’s broader strategy to deploy AI at scale, making generative AI tools accessible to employees across functions. The bank aims to simplify internal processes, streamline policies, and empower frontline teams with intelligent tools to deliver more personalised customer experiences.

Group CEO Georges Elhedery emphasized that modern banking must be fast, responsive, and tailored to individual customer needs. AI, he noted, is central to building a future-ready bank capable of meeting these expectations.

HSBC has already taken concrete steps to accelerate its AI agenda. In December, the bank entered a multi-year partnership with Mistral AI to expand the adoption of generative AI technologies across its ecosystem.

David Rice highlighted that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping HSBC’s long-term transformation, driving efficiency, innovation, and smarter decision-making across the organization.

Alongside this leadership change, HSBC is strengthening its technology backbone. Mario Shamtani will take on an expanded mandate as Chief Technology Officer, focusing on modernising core platforms and enabling scalable AI deployment.

This includes building a centralized AI framework that allows employees to access multiple AI models securely and efficiently, while also deepening strategic partnerships with third-party technology providers.

The move reflects a broader shift in the banking sector, where AI is rapidly becoming a core capability—not just for automation, but for delivering differentiated, customer-centric financial services at scale.