Technical Program Manager for AI at bp
Leading bp's AI strategy and governance framework
After the massive success of the Hackathon and the AI for Everyone event, I was offered the role of Technical Program Manager for AI. It's been an incredible opportunity that has already taught me so much about leading large-scale teams and building efficient, effective governance frameworks to ensure top-notch delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise AI Governance
Establish and oversee strategic development and implementation of AI governance policies
Executive Partnership
Partner with executive leadership to shape and execute AI strategy
Cross-functional Leadership
Lead cross-functional teams in implementing data governance best practices
AI Portal Launch
Develop and maintain the central AI Portal for all bp projects, enforcing automated governance practices and managing the enterprise AI inventory
Current Initiatives
I'm approaching this role the way I'd tackle any product development challenge. I'm building robust tracking systems around our work, which allows us to measure our progress accurately and uncover meaningful insights. So far, this approach is paying off. We're already identifying key areas where we can focus our efforts to deliver maximum value across bp.
A significant part of my work involves ensuring our AI governance aligns with the 3 lines of defence model while remaining compliant with the EU AI Act and other emerging regulations. This requires staying ahead of regulatory changes and translating complex requirements into practical, implementable policies.
Achievements
Strategic AI Inventory
Completed an initial strategic capture of all bp's AI use cases and established a framework for ongoing inventory management
Governance Policy Development
Developed updated governance policies aligned with current regulatory requirements
Stakeholder Engagement
Built relationships with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure alignment and buy-in
Strategic Roadmapping
Created a comprehensive roadmap for our AI governance implementation
The Governance Challenge
Now, I know what you might be thinking - governance sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. But trust me, it couldn't be further from boring. Governance at scale is like a complex puzzle with countless attributes and factors that can be optimized to squeeze the absolute best performance out of your teams.
Working with senior leadership has given me valuable insights into how strategic decisions are made at the enterprise level. By coordinating large teams to collect essential data, I've been able to develop a comprehensive view of bp's AI landscape, which informs our governance approach.
Looking Forward
I'm particularly excited about several upcoming initiatives that will shape the future of AI governance at bp:
AI Portal Development
Creating a comprehensive central hub for our AI inventory, governance documentation, and practitioner resources
Self-Service Governance Tools
Implementing automated assessment tools to streamline compliance and risk evaluation for new AI initiatives
Continuous Monitoring Framework
Establishing systems for ongoing evaluation of AI applications to ensure continued compliance and performance
AI Literacy Program
Developing comprehensive training and certification programs to build AI capabilities across the organization
It's a fascinating process of continuous improvement, where every metric and every insight helps us refine our approach and drive more impactful results. Who said governance has to be dry?