Delivered in partnership with training provider Cambridge Spark and experts from Cambridge University, the initiative aims to embed AI skills at the highest levels of the organisation.

Ron van Kemenade, chief operating officer at Lloyds, stated the goal is to deeply integrate AI throughout the business, rather than confining it to technical teams, aiming to build “the most AI-capable leadership team in banking”.

The programme focuses on enabling leaders to identify transformational AI opportunities and spearhead implementation. This initiative complements broader AI training available to all Lloyds employees, including a Data & AI Academy and GenAI Masterclasses.

The move comes as AI adoption rapidly increases within financial services. A recent Bank of England and FCA survey revealed that 75% of responding firms, including all large UK banks, now utilise AI – a significant rise from 2022.

However, this adoption brings challenges. Leaders must navigate both the substantial benefits and the inherent risks of AI, operating within evolving regulatory frameworks. Sarah Breeden, deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank of England, emphasised the need for regulation to keep pace with AI development to pre-emptively manage potential financial stability risks before AI usage becomes systemic.