Ajay Anand Named Inaugural Executive in Residence at Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative
An Indian-American executive has been appointed to a leadership position at an inaugural programme at the highly reputed Wharton School, contributing his industry-leading knowledge to counsel faculty and guide students in the discipline of Artificial Intelligence and analytics.
Ajay Anand, Senior Vice President, Global Services, Strategy and Business Services, Johnson & Johnson, has been appointed as the first Executive in Residence at the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI), a release issued here stated.
The release further stated that Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative is introducing the unique Executive in Residence program to bring world-class industry expertise into the very core of Wharton's AI research and student activities.
A small number of leading executives from high-performing organisations will join faculty and students on a yearly basis to close the gap between the latest AI research and practical industry problems.
The first Executives in Residence are Anand and Senior Director ERP, Digital & IT Strategy, The Hershey Company Achim Welter.
As Executives in Residence, the executives will consult with the Wharton faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, assisting in framing AI research according to business requirements; mentor students, and steer up-and-coming AI entrepreneurs through WAIAI-funded initiatives such as the Wharton AI & Analytics Accelerator.
Speak at top conferences, serving as keynote speakers and panel experts and adjudicate high-stakes AI competitions, including WAIAI Hack-AI-thons and the Venture Lab Startup Challenge.
The Thursday statement by Wharton added that Anand has over 26 years of "transformational leadership, driving strategic impact across consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and telecommunications.". A force of nature in the world of business and technology, he has spearheaded international programs that revolutionize industries." It added the depth and breadth of their "expertise place them in a unique position to guide WAIAI's future and advise the next generation of AI visionaries." Anand is a Master of Computer Science from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, and an MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
In addition to his corporate governance, he is a thought leader in the data and digital transformation space, a member of the Global Editorial Board for CDO Magazine, where he writes about the future of healthcare using data and AI. He is an independent director of USA Table Tennis (USATT).
Speaking of his excitement to take up the position, Anand stated, "It is an honour to join the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative as Executive in Residence.". I am thrilled to join forces with Wharton's leading faculty, gifted students, and business leaders to examine the innovative potential of AI and analytics." Anand will leverage his deep experience in digital transformation and business services in his new role at Wharton to advance the Initiative's goal of informing the real-world application of artificial intelligence and analytics in business innovation.
As per data on the Wharton website, the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) is pushing the boundaries of the study of innovative technology and the creation of analytics techniques in contemporary business, with the sharp realization that artificial intelligence and data science are revolutionizing the way we live, learn, and work.
Under the leadership of Vice Dean Eric Bradlow professor of marketing, statistics and data science, economics, and education — WAIAI leads cutting-edge student learning experiences, faculty research initiatives, and collaborations with industry practitioners and experts.
