Rao brings extensive industry and consulting experience to the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He works with senior executives to structure, solve, and manage critical issues facing their organizations. Rao is a distinguished Services Professor of Applied Data Science and AI at the school. Rao’s leadership will be crucial in enabling these technologies to be unlocked and delivering exceptional value to Roots’ clients and business.
His current research focuses on operationalizing artificial intelligence (AI), responsible AI, systems thinking, ROI of AI, theory and practice of creating digital twins and agent-based models, behavioral economics, and human decision-making. These areas all aid in Roots Automation’s development of its InsurGPTTM generative AI product, which serves as the basis for the business’s technologically advanced Digital Coworkers.
Rao led a group of practitioners who advised C-level executives on the development and application of advanced analytics and AI-based solutions across multiple industry sectors. Rao was previously a Global Artificial Intelligence Leader for PwC, a Partner in their Data, Analytics, and AI practice, and the Innovation lead for AI in PwC’s Products and Technology segment. His extensive experience of software engineering, statistics, modeling, and the insurance industry will provide him with a unique perspective on “data science” and artificial intelligence as they become more widely used in the insurance industry’s continuous digital business changes.
The CTO and co-founder of Roots Automation, John Cottongim, added that they are thrilled to have Anand become an independent director on the board. Anand, a Distinguished Service Professor of Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at PWC, brings a unique depth of academic and commercial experience in AI. He has held leading roles in AI and insurance. Because of his background and position at Carnegie Mellon University, Anand will be able to offer thought leadership from one of the leading academic institutions and brains in AI today. They are excited about our collaboration with Anand and the direction he will offer as we use our Digital Coworker Platform to deliver the insurance of the future.
Among the top scholars and practitioners of InsurTech worldwide is Anand Rao. Rao, who was named one of the Top 25 Technology Leaders in Consulting today, earned an MBA with distinction from Melbourne Business School in 1997 and a PhD with a University Postgraduate Research Award (UPRA) from the University of Sydney in 1988. In addition, he has co-edited four books on intelligent agents, published over fifty papers in prestigious journals, conferences, and workshops on computer science and artificial intelligence, and written over 100 articles for trade and business publications, including pieces for Carrier Management and Insurance Thought Leadership (ITL).
Roots Automation combines human creativity and machine intelligence to create cutting-edge, AI-powered
