UnitedHealth Group Optum has named Shobhit Varshney Chief AI Officer.  In his new role, Varshney is accountable for how AI is built, governed, and scaled across Optum and UnitedHealth Group. His responsibilities include leading AI strategy across Optum’s businesses, overseeing the United AI Studio platform, AI delivery across engineering and data science teams, and responsible AI with appropriate guardrails and human oversight.

Before joining UnitedHealth Group Optum, Varshney served as Global Head of AI at Citi, where he led the firm’s enterprise AI strategy, operating model, process transformation, and responsible AI governance. 

Earlier, he spent more than 13 years at IBM, most recently as Head of Data & AI, Vice President and Senior Partner, following earlier leadership roles as Partner and Americas Head of AI and Associate Partner. His career also includes positions at Bloomberg and Intel Corporation.

Reflecting on the new role, Varshney said, “An absolute privilege to drive UHG’s mission to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. Let’s do the right AI, and do AI right – for the better health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve.”