BBVA has extended its partnership with the University of Navarra to launch a training programme for over 150 managers to improve productivity through the use of generative AI (genAI).

The course has been created by the Spanish bank as well as the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DATAI) at the University.

The training will focus on the use of genAI to improve productivity among executives by improving their strategic decision-making and daily operations. Employees will also be trained in data science and new emerging technologies, as well as learn about tools like ChatGPT.

The programme is part of a training model known as Campus BBVA.

Since April this year, over 300 employees have already benefited from genAI training offered by the University of Navarra.

The training model is part of a wider partnership agreement that both institutions signed back in 2020 to train their employees and foster research in data science through various other initiatives, including an official master's degree in Big Data Science and a course in Big Data.

Employees have also been able to earn a DATAI qualification which acknowledges the skills they have acquired working in the data science industry. Additionally, some employees have started working on a doctoral thesis on how to apply data to overcome financial challenges or to analyse and mitigate biases in the bank’s automated decision-making tools, among other strands of research.

“With this new training programme, we are not just seeking to make our executives more productive and creative, we are also aiming to make them more adept at embracing emerging technologies, while encouraging them to lead change among their respective teams,” said Elena Alfaro, head of genAI adoption at BBVA. “Understanding the uses of genAI will help the company get the most out of this technology both now and in the future.”

BBVA said it has been taking steps over the past few months to implement the use of genAI across its main markets.

It has prioritised projects to be developed with tools using genAI and has also signed an agreement with OpenAI to deploy ChatGPT Enterprise among its employees.

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