Aruna Pattam

Aruna Pattam Aruna Pattam is an influencer

LinkedIn Top Voice AI | Head, Generative AI | Thought Leader | Speaker | Master Data Scientist | MBA | Australia's National AI Think Tank Member

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
17K followers 500+ connections

About

As Head of AI Platforms at Zurich Insurance, I lead the design, development, and delivery of enterprise-scale AI solutions—driving innovation across Life and General Insurance through cloud-native (AWS) and open-source technologies.

With over 20 years of experience in AI, data science, and analytics, I specialise in building ethical, scalable AI systems that transform operations and deliver real business value.

My areas of expertise span Generative AI, Agentic AI, advanced machine learning, and predictive analytics. I architect end-to-end ML infrastructure, including feature stores and MLOps frameworks, to support automation, intelligent decisioning, and advanced analytics across the enterprise.

My work also involved the development of data science and AI solutions to combat fraud, AML/CTF, credit risk, and regulatory compliance—leveraging agile, DevOps, and continuous delivery best practices.

Recognised globally as a thought leader in AI and data science, I have been honoured with:

🔹 LinkedIn Top Voice in AI
🔹 LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology
🔹 One of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics
🔹 Gartner Peer Community Ambassador for AI
🔹 World Top 200 Business and Technology Innovators
🔹 Top Women in Tech in Australia

I'm passionate about responsible and inclusive AI. As a member of CSIRO’s Responsible AI Think Tank (NAIC), I advocated for ethical AI adoption across industries.

I’m also deeply committed to highlighting the contributions of women in AI and democratising AI.

Through my weekly newsletter, "AI Weekly: by Aruna", and other platforms, I share insights to demystify AI and inspire innovation across sectors.

Visit below sites to learn more about my work in AI, Generative AI, and Data Science, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Refer to below sites to know more about my contributions.
🔹 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ArunaPattam
🔹 Website - https://www.arunapattam.com
🔹 Medium - https://arunapattam.medium.com

*Views expressed are my own.

Articles by Aruna

  • Episode #56 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 56 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

  • Agentic AI: Part 3- Key Terms You Should Know

    Imagine AI that doesn’t just respond to you, but understands your goals, adapts to your environment, and takes…

    1 Comment
  • Episode #55 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 54 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

  • Episode #54 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 54 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

  • Episode #53 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 53 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

    3 Comments
  • Episode #52 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 52 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

    2 Comments
  • Episode #51 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 51 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

  • Episode #50 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 50 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

    1 Comment
  • Episode #49 - AI Weekly: by Aruna

    Welcome back to "AI Weekly" by Aruna - Episode 48 of my AI Newsletter! I'm Aruna Pattam, your guide through the…

  • Agentic AI: Part 2–Evolution of AI Agents

    Imagine AI that doesn’t just respond to you but understands your goals, adapts to your environment, and takes…

    3 Comments

Activity

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Experience

  • Zurich Insurance Graphic

    Head of AI Platforms

    Zurich Insurance

    - Present 1 year 3 months

    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Driving the design, development, and delivery of enterprise AI platforms within the Data, AI & Automation Centre of Excellence. I lead the implementation of AI-enabled solutions across Life and General Insurance, leveraging cloud-native (AWS) and open-source technologies to build scalable, future-ready platforms.

    • Lead AI platform strategy, product roadmaps, and MLOps frameworks to scale enterprise-wide solutions.
    • Architect and implement end-to-end AI/ML infrastructure, including…

    Driving the design, development, and delivery of enterprise AI platforms within the Data, AI & Automation Centre of Excellence. I lead the implementation of AI-enabled solutions across Life and General Insurance, leveraging cloud-native (AWS) and open-source technologies to build scalable, future-ready platforms.

    • Lead AI platform strategy, product roadmaps, and MLOps frameworks to scale enterprise-wide solutions.
    • Architect and implement end-to-end AI/ML infrastructure, including feature stores and model lifecycle management.
    • Manage cross-functional teams of AI/ML engineers, MLOps, and data engineers to build, deploy, and maintain production-grade solutions.
    • Drive innovation in Agentic AI, generative AI, computer vision, and reinforcement learning using foundation models, multi-agent orchestration, and autonomous AI systems.
    • Design AI enabled intelligent solutions that automate workflows, generate actionable insights, and embed decision-making into daily operations.
    • Align AI strategy with business priorities, collaborating with senior leadership and ensuring strong data governance and compliance.
    • Champion a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation, staying at the forefront of emerging AI trends.

    Focused on delivering impactful, AI-powered products that transform business operations and create long-term value.

  • Capgemini Graphic

    Head - Generative AI, Analytics & Data Science, Insights & Data, APAC-ME

    Capgemini

    - 1 year 10 months

    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Leading strategic initiatives to market using artificial intelligence and data-focused solutions, harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies like Generative AI.
    • Developing and implementing robust GTM strategies for Generative AI offerings.
    • Leading multi-functional teams to deliver high-impact AI and data-driven solutions.
    • Overseeing the deployment of cutting-edge technology Generative AI to solve complex business challenges.
    • Ensuring the ethical and responsible…

    Leading strategic initiatives to market using artificial intelligence and data-focused solutions, harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies like Generative AI.
    • Developing and implementing robust GTM strategies for Generative AI offerings.
    • Leading multi-functional teams to deliver high-impact AI and data-driven solutions.
    • Overseeing the deployment of cutting-edge technology Generative AI to solve complex business challenges.
    • Ensuring the ethical and responsible use of Generative AI technologies across all the solutions.
    • Directing digital transformation projects, fostering innovation, and driving customer insights.
    • Spearheading initiatives that highlight the role of women in shaping the future of AI and promoting responsible AI practices.
    • Continually working on raising awareness on AI and Data Science and its potential to businesses as well as among the broader community.

  • HCL Technologies Graphic

    Head - AI & Data Science, APAC-ME

    HCL Technologies

    - 1 year 10 months

    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Leading the delivery, innovation, thought leadership, consulting and solution implementation leveraging emerging technologies AI, ML, 5G, Robotics, etc. across financial services, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, utilities, and technology sectors.
    • Developing innovative solutions, accelerators, experimentation services in big data, data lakes, nlp, deep learning, knowledge graphs, internet-of-things, computer vision, simulation and reinforcement learning, digital twins, embodied AI,…

    Leading the delivery, innovation, thought leadership, consulting and solution implementation leveraging emerging technologies AI, ML, 5G, Robotics, etc. across financial services, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, utilities, and technology sectors.
    • Developing innovative solutions, accelerators, experimentation services in big data, data lakes, nlp, deep learning, knowledge graphs, internet-of-things, computer vision, simulation and reinforcement learning, digital twins, embodied AI, and model operations that helps clients to test hypotheses, measure critical indicators, validate assumptions, and derive evidence-based conclusion.
    • Assisting clients in achieving their business goals by identifying the right use cases and strategic initiatives to support their digital transformation journey.
    • Helping clients with scaled delivery by developing and deploying AI and Data Science projects at scale by adopting MLOps solution frameworks across a range of business solutions.
    • Managing analytics, AI and emerging technology resources across Asia Pacific and Middle East region.
    • Responsible for Partner relations in AI and Data Science products, Analyst and University relationships as it relates to data, analytics, and AI.

  • AMP Graphic

    Partner, Enterprise Data & Analytics Services

    AMP

    - 1 year 8 months

    Sydney, Australia

    Responsible for defining data analytics strategy, digital transformation, and data
    governance across AMP’s Advice and Technology Business Unit.
    • Lead the Digital Transformation Program for Data and Analytics stream involving detailed
    Analysis, design of target architecture, develop roadmap and Implement data, reporting and analytics operating model.
    • Drive the strategy, roadmap and E2E delivery of enterprise content management solution using machine learning, image recognition…

    Responsible for defining data analytics strategy, digital transformation, and data
    governance across AMP’s Advice and Technology Business Unit.
    • Lead the Digital Transformation Program for Data and Analytics stream involving detailed
    Analysis, design of target architecture, develop roadmap and Implement data, reporting and analytics operating model.
    • Drive the strategy, roadmap and E2E delivery of enterprise content management solution using machine learning, image recognition, voice recognition, transcription technologies for document processing, structured data processing, content management, enhanced search, and for collaboration.
    • Establish data management and governance practices, policies and frameworks including standards for key data and strategic business initiatives to enable consistent management reporting and analytic capabilities
    • Run Data and AI literacy workshops and innovation to explain the possibility of using data, analytics, data science, machine learning & IoT for solving business problems and identifying new opportunities.

  • Westpac Graphic

    Senior Manager - Analytics Data & Systems

    Westpac

    - 4 years 5 months

    Sydney, Australia

    Appointed initially to manage the evolving analytics platform consisting of design, delivery and support streams for credit risk, product, and marketing. More recently I was involved on a broader program of Risk Analytics Data Transformation in line with major regulatory global reforms such as Basel, IFRS 9, CCR etc spanning data delivery, analytics, and data governance.

    I have led the development of the risk analytics strategy and project roadmap, with a focus on meeting both current…

    Appointed initially to manage the evolving analytics platform consisting of design, delivery and support streams for credit risk, product, and marketing. More recently I was involved on a broader program of Risk Analytics Data Transformation in line with major regulatory global reforms such as Basel, IFRS 9, CCR etc spanning data delivery, analytics, and data governance.

    I have led the development of the risk analytics strategy and project roadmap, with a focus on meeting both current and future regulatory requirements. Navigating a complex stakeholder environment, I partner with senior business leaders, the project steering committee, the credit risk executive council, auditors and analytics team to drive project outcomes.

    • Delivered market leading analytics projects in the information management/data space on time and budget, securing approval from both APRA and key stakeholders within Westpac
    • Responsible for providing key insights through development of analytical solutions on product
    pricing, marketing campaigns and credit/loans improving ROI and compliance to regulation.
    • Designed and delivered various analytics products and optimise delivery by operationalising of analytics models in production using DevOps and CI/CD frameworks.
    • As a Big data and analytics evangelist, promoted big data analytics solution to internal business units, e.g., pricing, marketing, fraud, digital channel, and institutional banking.

  • Commonwealth Bank Graphic

    Executive Manager – Group Information Services

    Commonwealth Bank

    - 4 years

    Sydney, Australia

    I was engaged to lead multiple key initiatives such as - establish enterprise analytics data assets sourcing from both internal and external for providing Insights & Analytics, a data governance framework to support the bank’s Master Data Management Solution (MDM) using Oracle’s Data Relationship Management (DRM) Solution. Working with business units, vendors and architects, I developed strategy and roadmap for rollout and implementation of data solutions. Leading multiple teams, I increased…

    I was engaged to lead multiple key initiatives such as - establish enterprise analytics data assets sourcing from both internal and external for providing Insights & Analytics, a data governance framework to support the bank’s Master Data Management Solution (MDM) using Oracle’s Data Relationship Management (DRM) Solution. Working with business units, vendors and architects, I developed strategy and roadmap for rollout and implementation of data solutions. Leading multiple teams, I increased productivity and drove the culture of data management and governance across the bank, enabling data driven decisions.

    • Improved the quality of data by creating a single source of truth, improving strategic decision making, data management and governance;
    • Built analytical data assets to enable analytical solutions for better decision making;
    • Build team analytical capability, negotiating a partnership with UTS to provide training programs and developmental pathways, developing a curriculum for the initiative.

  • Westpac Graphic

    Manager - Data Analytics, Financial Crime Management

    Westpac

    - 4 years 2 months

    Sydney, Australia

    I was appointed to this management role with a dual mandate of creating a data strategy for financial crimes prevention and managing 3 streams across architecture, design and delivery. I led the development of a strategy for financial crime management in line with both the risk profile and regulatory requirements, defining optimal solution design and implementation. Having prepared and presented a 5-year roadmap covering various types of fraud including credit cards, debit cards, cheque, AML…

    I was appointed to this management role with a dual mandate of creating a data strategy for financial crimes prevention and managing 3 streams across architecture, design and delivery. I led the development of a strategy for financial crime management in line with both the risk profile and regulatory requirements, defining optimal solution design and implementation. Having prepared and presented a 5-year roadmap covering various types of fraud including credit cards, debit cards, cheque, AML and more, I oversaw end-to-end solution delivery.

    • Led the development of Westpac’s greenfield FCM solution, supporting a reduction in financial crime;
    • Realised efficiencies in financial crime management by reducing data management workload, detection time and financial loss;
    • Achieved full alignment with regulatory/compliance requirements.

  • SAS Graphic

    Principal Consultant - Data Analytics Solutions

    SAS

    - 7 years 3 months

    Sydney, Australia

    In this consulting role, my mandate was to design and implement data warehouse and analytical solutions for clients including the CBA, HSBC, Westpac, NAB, Optus, MBF, OPSM, University of Newcastle, and others.

    • Led the successful implementation of market first, greenfield Financial Crimes Platform for CBA, detecting suspicious activity covering AML, CTF and Fraud, contributing to fraud prevention and protecting the bank, customers and the community.

Education

  • James Cook University Graphic

    James Cook University

    MASTER OF DATA SCIENCE Machine Learning

    Gained skills and knowledge on the use of emerging technologies such as AI, ML, and Data Science for data driven decisions covering Data Analytics using SAS, Hadoop, Cloud platforms using AWS, Data Visualisation using Python, Tableau, Statistical Methods for Data Science, Programming and Data Analytics using Python, Data Mining and Machine Learning using Python and R, Visual Analytics for Data Scientists using SAS, Essential Mathematics for Data Scientists using Matlab.

  • RMIT University Graphic

    RMIT University

    ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY

    Gained skills and experience in full AI stack from Natural Language Processing and robotics to machine learning and Neural Networks, AWS and created a AI business plan including proposal for solutions based on a business problem on managing Personal Identifiable Information.

  • AGSM @ UNSW Business School Graphic

    AGSM @ UNSW Business School

    CERTIFICATE OF EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

  • University of South Australia Graphic

    University of South Australia

    GRAD DIP COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

  • Thiagarajar School of Management Graphic

    THIAGARAJAR SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

    MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - MBA

  • University of Madras Graphic

    University of Madras

    BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - BBA

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • Microsoft Graphic

    Code Without Barriers Data & AI - Mentor

    Microsoft

    - 1 year 1 month

    Science and Technology

  • CSIRO's Data61 Graphic

    Responsible AI Think Tank Group Member

    CSIRO's Data61

    - Present 3 years 5 months

    Science and Technology

    #CSIRO #NAIC Responsible AI Think Tank member, an important initiative that will help to ensure that AI is developed and used for benefit of all both in Australia and around the world.

  • AI4Diversity Graphic

    Global Lead Contributor

    AI4Diversity

    - Present 3 years 10 months

    Science and Technology

  • SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network Graphic

    Global AI Ambassador

    SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

    - Present 4 years 3 months

    Science and Technology

  • 3AI Graphic

    Global Contributor

    3AI

    - Present 4 years 4 months

    Science and Technology

  • Thousand Eyes On Me Graphic

    Head of Growth and Innovation

    Thousand Eyes On Me

    - Present 4 years 5 months

    Science and Technology

  • Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Graphic

    Volunteer - External Advisor for Bachelor of Data Science with honours at Department of Data Science

    Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

    - Present 3 years 5 months

    Science and Technology

Publications

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Courses

  • Architecture - TOGAF

    -

  • Big Data Architect Training

    -

  • Big Data and Hadoop

    -

  • Business Analytics with R

    -

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