Microsoft has brought on Cari Covent as Global Chief Data and AI Advisor, a move she announced in a LinkedIn post.

“I’m thrilled to share that I’m joining Microsoft as a Global Chief Data and AI Advisor,” Covent wrote. “Joining Microsoft at a moment when the role of data and AI has never been more critical is incredibly exciting. I look forward to partnering with teams across Microsoft, the partnership ecosystem, and enterprise leaders to create sustainable value and help organizations move confidently into their next frontier.”

Covent joins Microsoft after spending the past year building 2C’s.ai, an independent advisory practice focused on enterprise AI strategy, data governance, digital operating models, and responsible adoption of emerging technologies across the public and private sectors. She also serves as a member of Canada’s Federal AI Strategy Task Force, contributing expertise to the country’s national AI strategy.

Previously, Covent spent more than 19 years at Canadian Tire Corporation, where she held multiple senior leadership roles, including Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology, Vice President of Data, Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Vice President of Intelligent Automation. In these roles, she led the development and scaling of enterprise data and AI strategies, governance frameworks, and advanced analytics capabilities.

A technology executive known for leading large-scale cultural and digital transformations, Covent has focused her career on developing and scaling capabilities in data and AI governance, automation, applied AI, and emerging technologies. She has been actively involved in establishing AI councils and cross-functional governance models designed to align innovation with enterprise risk, compliance, and business outcomes.

Covent is also a recognized voice in the technology and AI community, advocating for responsible AI adoption through governance, policy, and human-centered education, and fostering partnerships across startups, academia, and global technology organizations.