Lloyds has created a new role of director of artificial intelligence (AI) and appointed Rohit Dhawan as part of a new digital push.

Dhawan will report to the group’s chief data and analytics officer, Ranil Boteju.

As part of a strategy announced in February 2022, Lloyds has committed to accelerating the pace at which it uses digital technologies and data to support its customers. So far this year, the group has recruited 1,500 technology and data specialists, taking the total to more than 4,000 over the past two and a half years.

The bank has also ramped up its efforts to integrate AI across the group is also currently trailing over 50 use cases including increasing the speed of support, quality of chatbot tools and detecting early warning signs of fraud.

In the new role, Dhawan will lead the bank’s AI centre of excellence and bring together experts in data science, behavioral science, machine learning engineering, advanced analytics and AI ethics. Dhawan is joining from Amazon Web Services, where he served as the head of data and AI strategy across the Asia-Pacific region.

Dhawan added: “It’s a privilege to join Lloyds, and I’m excited to work for an organisation undergoing one of the largest transformations in financial services and look at how we can transform the way we use data and tech to respond to changing customer needs.

“I’m looking forward to progressing the Group’s ambitious AI strategy and maximising opportunities across the organisation as part of the Group’s purpose to help Britain prosper.”

Chief data and analytics officer at Lloyds, Ranil Boteju, added: “Rohit’s appointment is a significant boost for the strategic development of AI technology and capabilities within Lloyds, with his wealth of experience delivering technology and change, at pace and scale.

“Rohit will work across the business to further integrate AI outcomes into business priorities, helping us to scale AI in a consistent way and deliver against our strategy.”

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