BBVA has significantly expanded its workforce dedicated to artificial intelligence, increasing the number of employees to over 400 with the establishment of new ‘AI Factories’ in Mexico and Turkey.
These new facilities complement an existing AI research center located in Spain. To support these initiatives, BBVA has onboarded 230 new professionals to join the 200 employees at its Spanish headquarters. The newly recruited talent includes data scientists, machine learning engineers, developers, data architects, and digital product specialists.
This hiring initiative is part of BBVA’s broader global strategy to attract technology talent. Over the past two years, the bank has welcomed 7,187 professionals in the data and technology sectors, with plans to add an additional 2,700 employees in 2024. Of this new intake, 1,225 will be based in Spain, specifically within BBVA’s headquarters in Madrid, Bilbao, and Barcelona.
Among the innovative projects underway at BBVA’s AI Factory is the development of a fully conversational virtual assistant designed to enhance user experiences across digital channels. Additionally, the team is working on ‘co-pilot’ tools aimed at boosting managerial efficiency and refining customer relationship models.
“We align our efforts with the business needs, creating analytical components that maximize the value of AI for our clients,” states Ignacio Teulón, global head of BBVA AI Factory. “Our cross-functional approach also allows us to repurpose these ‘components’ for diverse business challenges, thereby enhancing our overall efficiency.”
The launch of these new centers follows BBVA’s groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI earlier this year, making it the first European bank to do so. The bank has implemented 3,000 ChatGPT Enterprise licenses for its employees to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and foster innovation.
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