Leading the next chapter of data and AI at CIBC

In my remarks, I emphasized integration ensuring that data and AI are not operating at the margins but embedded into how the bank works.

Data and AI are most powerful when aligned with frontline workflows, business priorities, and client needs. That requires strong foundations: modern data infrastructure, disciplined governance, and a shared “One CIBC” mindset grounded in extreme ownership.

I also shared a belief that has guided much of my career: we have to fall in love with the problem before we fall in love with the solution. In a space evolving as quickly as data and AI, clarity and discipline matter. Sustainable impact comes from deeply understanding the business challenge and designing solutions that are scalable, responsible and aligned to enterprise priorities.

We continue to strengthen these foundations, modernizing our data platforms, reinforcing governance practices and scaling AI capabilities that enhance both employee and client experiences. These investments are delivering meaningful business value while positioning us to move with confidence in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

A fireside conversation with Chris Patterson, Vice President, Enterprise Artificial Intelligence and Platform Solutions, and Rory Mitz, Senior Vice President, Imperial Service and Mass Affluent, brought this strategy into practical focus.

They shared how AI is directly supporting frontline teams streamlining administrative work, enhancing meeting preparation, and enabling more informed client conversations. The impact is tangible: advisors can spend less time on manual processes and more time building relationships and deliver personalized advice.

This reflects the broader shift underway applying AI in ways that are practical, responsible, and embedded into daily workflows.

Technology alone does not transform an enterprise. People do.

A consistent theme throughout the Town Hall was the importance of cultivating data-fluent workforce teams that understand not only how to build intelligent systems, but how to apply them responsibly within a highly regulated industry.

As AI capabilities continue to advance, long-term advantage will depend on the combination of strong technical infrastructure, clear governance and talented individuals who can translate innovation into measurable outcomes.

Our focus remains on strengthening our foundations while fostering a culture of extreme ownership, collaboration and enterprise alignment. That balance between innovation and accountability is essential to ensure that our data and AI capabilities are trusted, scalable and aligned to client needs.

The work ahead requires focus and discipline. We will continue advancing data readiness, expanding responsible AI adoption, and embedding intelligence into the core of how we operate.

Data and AI are not standalone initiatives; they are foundational capabilities shaping how CIBC serves clients and evolves in a digital-first era. What gives me confidence and energy every day is not just the strength of the foundation already in place, but more importantly the calibre of the people at CIBC driving this work forward.