RBC Forms Dedicated AI Team for Accelerated Innovation
Royal Bank of Canada has created a centralized AI Group to speed deployment of advanced artificial intelligence across the bank. The move formalizes years of investment and positions RBC to push generative and agentic AI into production systems while maintaining responsible practices.
A Decade of AI Investment Culminates in Focused Strategy
RBC has been building AI capabilities for many years, investing in foundational models and internal platforms. The bank has previously attributed sizable enterprise value to its digital and data work, and the new team is meant to convert ongoing research and pilots into scalable products that support clients and operations.
Leading the AI Charge: Mandate and Leadership
Bruce Ross will lead the new AI Group, moving into the role from within RBCs technology and innovation ranks. The teams mandate is to accelerate projects from concept to production, expand research into generative and agentic AI, and embed principles for responsible AI development and deployment.
Driving Operational Value and Workforce Empowerment
RBC already runs internal models and tools such as the Atom model and employee assistants like RBC Assist and Aiden. The new group will scale those kinds of applications while rolling out training programs for the banks global workforce. Chief Executive Dave McKay has signaled that institutionalizing AI is a strategic priority, and Chief Human Resources Officer Kelly Bradley is overseeing workforce readiness to integrate AI into day-to-day roles.
Implications for Banking’s AI Future
Creating a dedicated AI Group signals a shift from experimental deployments to an operating model where AI is core to products, risk management, and employee productivity. For other banks, RBCs approach highlights the value of central coordination across research, engineering, and people operations. Expect faster production cycles for generative AI services, tighter controls on model use, and broader upskilling as AI moves from lab projects into mainstream financial services.
