How EY's AI Advisory Council Will Shape Enterprise Strategy
The race to implement AI in professional services has continued to intensify throughout 2024, with major firms competing to develop comprehensive frameworks for deployment. Amid ongoing technological and market changes, EY has announced that it has formed an independent advisory council to guide its AI strategy and help the firm remain at the cutting edge.
Following EY's September 2023 launch of EY.ai, the firm’s unified AI platform that spans its audit, tax, consulting and transaction advisory services, EY's broad ambition is to integrate machine learning and automation across its operations in more than 150 countries.
The AI advisory council is formed on a structured approach focusing on three key domains: internal AI development, client transformation and societal impact, and represents a coordinated response to the increasing complexity of enterprise AI deployment.
Internal development structure
The foundation of the council’s work centres on directing AI development within EY’s global network of member firms and involves systematic sharing of insights on technological breakthroughs and emerging risks. EY says the council will operate as a sounding board for its EY.ai platform.
Being guided by focused knowledge from different backgrounds is essential for leading-edge innovation.
EY has appointed two internal leaders to guide the council. Raj Sharma, EY Global Managing Partner of Growth and Innovation, serves as chair, while Gil Forer, Digital and Business Disruption Leader, operates as co-lead, combining strategic oversight with technical expertise.
Industry expertise selection
The selection of external members demonstrates a focus on diverse technological perspectives. EY has recruited leaders from across the AI implementation spectrum, including Daniel Dines, founder and CEO of UiPath, which specialises in robotic process automation, and Ashish Vaswani, CEO of Essential AI, which develops large language models for enterprise use.
The counci also incorporates technical standards expertise through Clara Neppel, Senior Director of European Operations at IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), while additional industry perspectives come from Maurice Conti, CEO of Applied Intelligence and Rotem Alaluf, founder of Wand AI.
Academic integration
EY has balanced industry expertise with academic rigour through carefully selected university representatives. David De Cremer, dean of Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business and founder of the Centre on AI Technology for Humankind, brings organisational behaviour expertise. Sunita Sarawagi, founding head of the Center for Machine Intelligence and Data Science at IIT Bombay, contributes technical research experience.
- Internal AI development across EY member firms
- Client transformation and industry-specific AI deployment
- Societal impact and ethical considerations
- Support for EY.ai platform (launched September 2023)
Other academics in the council are Shannon Vallor, Professor of Ethics of Data and AI at the University of Edinburgh, and Nathanael Fast, Director of the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership at USC Marshall School of Business.
Client transformation framework
The council’s structure includes dedicated focus on client AI transformation. This encompasses assessment of industry-specific AI applications and broader digital transformation initiatives. The framework examines how EY member firms can support clients across their global operations.
The third domain of the council's structure addresses global challenges through AI applications. Kate Kallot, founder of Amini, which develops AI solutions for emerging markets, brings expertise in technology accessibility. Stephanie Ifayemi, head of policy at Partnership on AI, contributes perspective on responsible AI development.
The council will examine applications ranging from climate change to health and education, while considering potential risks to communities and societies. This structured approach ensures social responsibility balances technical advancement.
“The astonishing pace of change being driven by AI demands that organizations proactively collaborate with a wide variety of AI leaders to stay ahead of the curve and shape their future with confidence,” says Sharma. “Being guided by focused knowledge from different backgrounds is essential for leading-edge innovation and helping clients manage ethical and security risks, regulatory compliance and responsible leading practices.”
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