AI Ambassador Network

HSBC launched its group-wide Ambassador Network in September 2023. Since then, thousands of employees have signed up to complete training and represent HSBC as an AI Ambassador. AI Ambassadors are committed to helping unlock the value of AI at HSBC by driving education and adoption across the organisation.

To do this, they complete learning pathways that:

Build understanding of AI, including Machine Learning, and Generative AI, and the opportunities and risks associated with the technology.
Highlight the importance of Responsible AI, including concepts such as Explainability and Fairness.
Explain current AI practices and strategy within the bank.

The pathways are tailored to different roles, skills, and backgrounds – so that everyone has an opportunity to explore AI. The pathways include:

Business AI Ambassador: an introduction to AI without delving into technical skills like programming and data engineering.
AI Ambassador: an introduction to AI that includes technical concepts like programming and data engineering.
Senior AI Ambassador: a pathway that helps those with a good grounding in AI to develop their skills and knowledge.
Technical AI Ambassador: a pathway for those with an advanced understanding around AI to develop their skills and knowledge.
Executive AI Ambassador: learning and resources curated for Managing Directors, Executives, and Board Members.

Upon accreditation, AI Ambassadors have the opportunity to use the platform to share their knowledge with others. For example:

In London, AI Ambassadors facilitated an International Women’s Day Hackathon with local students, where Data Scientists and students came together to support a local charity with insights on homelessness in youth.
Global AI Ambassadors supported a 2024 Emerging Talent Hackathon as mentors and judges. Ten teams across ten markets and three partnership universities looked at how AI can help people work more effectively.

I’d worked for the bank for 12 years when I joined Athena, a HSBC learning programme that was to transform my career and outlook. The Athena programme introduced women to IT Architecture and the skills needed for a career in technology. A role in Enterprise Data Architecture followed and I have progressively built my technical skills since then. In subsequent years I’ve achieved two career milestones. I passed the Google Cloud Architecture certification and landed a spot on a prestigious HSBC learning programme (the Enterprise Engineer Programme), which upskills employees on a range of technology disciplines and high-performance leadership behaviours. I was introduced to artificial intelligence through my work in IT Architecture. My interest in the technology, combined with my passion for community, led me to become an AI Ambassador. Being an Ambassador has furthered my understanding of AI and given me the confidence to share my knowledge and skills with others.
AI Ambassador Spotlight - Rachel Miller, Enterprise Data Architect