Responsible AI adoption and implementation
As we start to consider broader use of artificial intelligence (AI) across RBC, equipping our employees with the training and education they need to make strategic decisions is crucial to our success. Advancing this technology within our business lines stems not only from our team of developers, engineers, and data scientists, but also from the bank’s senior leaders driving AI adoption across the organization.
RBC aims to ensure that the use of AI respects diversity, human integrity, enhances financial well-being, and aligns with our values. Education is one of the first steps in achieving this goal.
"Staying ahead in AI requires ongoing investment in our people. As the technology evolves, our commitment to continuous learning ensures that our teams are not just keeping up but leading the way in how they think about AI-driven innovation."
Foteini Agrafioti
Senior Vice President, Data and AI, and Chief Science Officer, RBC
Piloting our AI training program
RBC recently piloted a new AI training program – Leading in Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a one-day course, the first of its kind to be offered to senior executives, operating committees and members of the RBC Board of Directors in both Canada and the United States.
The program is delivered by AI leaders, including Foteini Agrafioti, Bob Blainey, RBC Fellow, and Greg Mori, RBC Fellow, alongside senior leaders Brian Keng, Senior Director, AI Solutions, and Adjunct Professor of Data Science at the Rotman School of Management, and Alexander Scott, Senior Director, Business, Product & Client Experience, and instructor in the analytics group at Queen’s Smith School of Business.
"Our goal is to empower our leaders with a deep understanding of AI and generative AI, including their potential opportunities and inherent risks. With this knowledge, they can more confidently guide their teams in leveraging this technology to create meaningful advancements. It’s about building a solid foundation and responsibly integrating AI into our operations."
Greg Mori
Fellow, RBC
Program participants leave the session with a deeper understanding of the value of AI products, how AI technologies are used at RBC today, and how to use AI within a responsible framework.
Empowering our people
RBC is looking to eventually implement training like the ‘Leading in Artificial Intelligence (AI)’ program for more employees across the enterprise.
Currently, all employees can access on-demand online courses through learning platforms, Udemy and Precipio, on topics including AI, data science, digital skills, and more. These tools enable employees to upskill their talent and build their knowledge base of AI and machine learning techniques, technical applications, and responsible and ethical use.
These resources are open to all employees across RBC to upskill our talent and build their knowledge base of AI and machine learning techniques, applications, and responsible and ethical use.
Advancing AI financial services together
RBC has long recognized the power of AI, making early investments in the technology with the establishment of Borealis AI, our research institute, in 2016. Borealis AI supports the development and application of cutting-edge science to inform business and client transactions, all within a responsible AI framework. As the benefits of AI adoption become increasingly clear, RBC envisions a future where most client interactions and business decisions are informed by AI.
Our vision to be the leader in AI for financial services has driven a continually evolving strategic direction within the bank. RBC’s AI, data services, and platform teams operate under Martin Wildberger, EVP Technology & Operations, and together are working under a unified strategy.
Foteini Agrafioti, SVP, Data + AI & Chief Science Officer, leads a team of more than 600 employees. This size and scale enable us to build innovative, leading-edge solutions and a strategic enterprise platform that have broad and meaningful impacts, influencing how AI will deliver exceptional experiences for our businesses and clients.
Responsible AI at RBC
At RBC we believe that AI is one of the most transformative technologies impacting today’s world. As developers and users of this technology we are responsible for ensuring that AI systems adhere to our core values. RBC’s Responsible AI Principles guide every aspect of our research & development activities.
View the principles