Davies taps Paul O’Brien as first group chief AI officer

Specialist professional services firm Davies has appointed Paul O’Brien (pictured above) as its inaugural group chief AI officer.

Previously, O’Brien served as chief technology officer for Davies’ Global Solutions division, where he oversaw the development and launch of technology products for the insurance and financial services sectors, as well as other regulated markets.

In that role, he was responsible for driving the global technology strategy across several of Davies’ business units, including insurance solutions, consulting, technology solutions, and forensic accounting.

For this new function, O’Brien will oversee the deployment of AI across Davies, focusing on the ethical use of generative AI and expanding its applications in products and services aimed at enhancing value for the company’s global client base.

Jen Morrissey, Davies’ chief operations officer, highlighted the importance of this move in strengthening the firm’s AI capabilities.

“In a time where GenAI is rapidly reshaping business landscapes, Davies is proactively positioning itself at the forefront by appointing Paul to this critical role. With a profound understanding of AI and its dynamic applications, Paul is uniquely qualified to optimize our internal processes and harness the power of AI to provide our clients with superior services,” Morrissey said.

AI technology is continuing to disrupt the insurance industry across its many aspects. Recent insights from Triple-I noted that the still-expanding tech is on track to transform property and casualty insurance, positioning insurers to play a critical role in advancing ethical AI practices across industries.

Davies’ AI development

O’Brien will also continue in his role as chief technology officer in addition to his new AI-focused responsibilities. He will report to both Mark Grocott, CEO of Davies’ Global Solutions division, and Morrissey. Morrissey joined Davies last year to lead the company’s global technology and operations functions.

Davies explained that the new role marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to harness artificial intelligence (AI) across its business operations, including the integration of generative AI technologies.

Davies has been investing in a range of AI-driven solutions, including its Lauri claims technology platform, which has reduced processing times for personal injury and credit hire claims.

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