Danske Bank has announced the appointment of Dr Fiona Browne as its first head of AI to lead the strategic development and use of the technology across the bank.

Browne has over 18 years of experience in AI and Machine Learning across industry and academia.

She joins the bank from market intelligence firm 9fin, where she spent over a year as engineering manager.

Prior to this, she spent over five years at software development firm Datactics where she oversaw the delivery of AI-driven solutions for banking and government clients. Browne held a variety of roles at Datactics including head of AI and chief technology officer.

In her new role, Browne will lead a new AI centre of excellence in Belfast and will work alongside Danske Bank’s head of data & analytics, Lyndsay Shields, as part of the bank’s focused investment in AI and data.

Liam Curran, Danske Bank’s chief information officer, said that while the bank has been utilising AI for some time and exploring the potential of generative AI through investment and the development of new solutions, the bank has only just “scratched the surface.”

He added: “Fiona’s expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning will strengthen our capabilities and help us unlock the transformative potential of both AI and data to drive innovation, make daily banking more convenient, and ultimately free up time for our colleagues to spend time on the things that add the most value.”

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