Spanish bank BBVA has followed through on its pledge to grow its artificial intelligence (AI) workforce by more than doubling its headcount.
BBVA has recruited 230 new staff to join its current 200 employees working in its AI divisions in its new ‘AI Factories’, located in Mexico and Turkey, as well as its existing Spanish research lab.
The bank has hired specialists such as machine learning engineers, AI developers and data architects and digital product experts. Within these roles, new employees will work on AI models that aim to enhance the customer banking journey.
Ignacio Teulón, Global Head of BBVA’s AI Factory, commented: “We are fully aligned with the needs of the business areas. We develop our analytical components to address them, which allows us to transfer the maximum value from AI to customers.
“But, at the same time, our cross-cutting approach allows us to see how we can reuse these ‘lego pieces’ in other, entirely different business challenges. In this way, we optimise the work we do.”
Last May, BBVA announced a significant project into further developing its exploration and usage in AI by signing a strategic partnership with OpenAI – the creator behind ChatGPT.
This partnership went to work on beginning to embed and utilise OpenAI’s technology to explore how generative AI can be used to improve productivity and enhance the speed and efficiency of its digital platforms.
Also in May, BBVA announced that it is prioritising around 100 AI-related projects that will coincide with its usage of OpenAI technology. The bank also revealed its intentions to grow its AI division, which now see’s 430 current employees working within it.
Over the past two years, BBVA has added over 7,000 staff to its data and technology division, adding over 2,700 new employees in 2024 alone.
Now with a bolstered workforce and in partnership some of the leading AI operators, BBVA will begin working on co-piloting tools to help its managers increase staff productivity and also to streamline the user experience for its customers.
