Optum Taps Shobhit Varshney as Chief AI Officer

UnitedHealth Group's Optum has appointed Shobhit Varshney as its Chief AI Officer, overseeing how artificial intelligence is developed, governed, and scaled across the company.

In this role, Varshney will be responsible for leading AI strategy across Optum's businesses, managing the United AI Studio platform, and ensuring AI delivery across engineering and data science teams. He will also focus on developing responsible AI with appropriate guardrails and human oversight.

Varshney has a strong background in AI, having previously served as Global Head of AI at Citi, where he led the firm's enterprise AI strategy. Prior to that, he spent over 13 years at IBM in various leadership roles, including Head of Data & AI, Vice President and Senior Partner.

'An absolute privilege to drive UHG's mission to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone,' Varshney said. 'Let's do the right AI, and do AI right, for the better health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve.'