Pfizer Welcomes Chief AI Officer To Lead Digital Transformation

Pfizer has added Berta Rodriguez-Hervas to its digital leadership roster, appointing her as Chief Artificial Intelligence and Analytics Officer. Lidia Fonseca, Pfizer's Chief Digital and Technology Officer, announced the new role on LinkedIn, also highlighting Rodriguez-Hervas' appointment as co-chair of the company’s AI council.

Rodriguez-Hervas joins Pfizer with a wealth of experience from notable positions at Stellantis, Tesla, and NVIDIA. Fonseca emphasized Rodriguez-Hervas' extensive expertise in AI, machine learning, and analytics, praising her ability to rapidly develop and scale AI solutions across large global enterprises.

Before this role, Rodriguez-Hervas was Vice President of AI, Algorithms, and Machine Learning Operations at Stellantis, a major automotive conglomerate formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group. In this position, she was responsible for crafting and executing strategies for the next generation of autonomous vehicles.

Fonseca said, "I am confident that Berta's leadership and fresh perspective will continue to take our enterprise AI strategies and capabilities to the next level to accelerate our purpose of breakthroughs that change patients' lives.”

Pfizer is harnessing AI and related technologies to accelerate the creation and refinement of medicines and vaccines. This includes optimizing clinical trial designs, streamlining internal processes through advanced automation, and enhancing both patient and healthcare provider experiences with 'digital companion' technologies for new products.

In recent years, there's been a noticeable increase in the appointment of Chief Digital Officers across various sectors. Now, organizations, healthcare systems, and government bodies are turning their attention to Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration mandated that all US federal agencies appoint a CAIO to oversee the effective and responsible adoption of AI. This move was part of a broader executive order aimed at establishing foundational standards for AI use in healthcare and other sectors.

The industry is also catching on, though many companies still place AI oversight under roles such as Chief Digital Officer, Chief Technology Officer, or Chief Information Officer. A recent Gartner report indicates that some organizations prefer to designate AI responsibilities to positions below the executive level, like Global Head of AI.

Rodriguez-Herva, who has a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, said, "I am incredibly inspired by the shared vision I have with Lidia Fonseca regarding the future of AI at Pfizer, and the immense impact we will bring to patients' lives. I can't wait to build this future together with all Pfizer colleagues, partners and future colleagues.”