- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has appointed Ted Kaouk as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer.
- Kaouk, who joined the CFTC in 2023, has previously served as the Chief Data Officer at the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- In his new role, Kaouk will lead the development of the CFTC’s enterprise data and artificial intelligence strategy.
Ted Kaouk takes on the role of the first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the CFTC, tasked with leading the development of the agency’s enterprise data and AI strategy.
Ted Kaouk: A seasoned professional in data and AI
Ted Kaouk joined the CFTC in December 2023. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Data Officer and Responsible Official for AI at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). At OPM, he developed the agency’s first federal government-wide human capital data strategy and data products. Before joining OPM, Kaouk was the Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he established the agency’s first enterprise data analytics and AI platform and a data strategy to improve organizational decision-making and outcomes for citizens. Kaouk served as the first Chair of the Federal Chief Data Officers Council from its inception in 2020 until January 2024. He began his career as a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy, earning a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park.
CFTC’s new enterprise data and AI strategy
In his expanded role, Kaouk will be responsible for leading the development of the CFTC’s enterprise data and artificial intelligence strategy. This strategy aims to further integrate CFTC’s ongoing efforts to advance its data-driven capabilities. CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam believes that enhanced data analytics and artificial intelligence have the potential to transform the CFTC’s long-term capabilities for oversight, surveillance, and enforcement in the derivatives markets. He sees the deployment of an enterprise data and AI strategy as a top priority, aiming to modernize staff skillsets, instill a data-driven culture, and leverage the efficiencies of AI as an innovative financial markets regulator. Behnam expressed confidence in Kaouk’s technical and leadership experience to lead and implement the CFTC’s data and AI roadmap at this critical stage.
Conclusion
The appointment of Ted Kaouk as the first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the CFTC marks a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to enhance its data analytics and AI capabilities. With his extensive experience in data and AI, Kaouk is expected to play a crucial role in the development and implementation of the CFTC’s enterprise data and AI strategy. This move reflects the growing importance of data and AI in financial regulation and oversight.
