Pioneering structure combines technology and strategy to ensure the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, aligning innovation with BB's business values and regulatory requirements
Banco do Brasil (BB), in a strategic project with IBM and EY, one of the largest consulting and auditing companies in the world, implemented a new Artificial Intelligence governance structure, transforming the way the institution deals with the development, monitoring and management of its AI models. With more than 600 AI use cases already in operation and serving more than 80 million customers, BB sought to scale its technological environment so that it was even more aligned with the strategic objectives of the business and the needs of its customers, especially those related to security and hyper-personalization of services. Another concern of BB was to implement governance in all stages of its AI, with an increasingly attentive focus on topics such as ethics, transparency and data privacy.
The synergy between IBM solutions and EY frameworks has set a new standard for responsible and scalable adoption of generative AI at BB. While IBM provided the technology foundation for monitoring and automation, EY complemented it with strategic methodologies, ensuring that models are always in line with organizational values and regulatory requirements.
The bank’s new governance framework, which incorporates clear rules, phases and controls for AI development, was developed using IBM watsonx.governance, a toolkit for managing risk, providing transparency, monitoring and managing AI and Generative AI models wherever they are. The new technology also integrates other components of the watsonx platform and IBM Cloud Pak for Data, enabling scalable and adaptable governance. EY contributed to building the governance framework, which incorporates clear rules, phases and controls for AI development. Through the EY Generative AI Lifecycle Framework, EY brought methodologies that ensure transparency, bias mitigation, regulatory compliance and ethical alignment with the institution’s values.
“We are committed to our customers, society and our shareholders. AI is a powerful technology, but it needs to be treated seriously, with human curation and strategic alignment, and governance is a key element to scaling AI responsibly,” says Giuliane Paulista, Executive Manager of AI Governance at Banco do Brasil.
According to the IBM CEO Study 2024, 821% of Brazilian CEOs believe that transparency in generative AI is essential to gain customer trust, and 621% advocate governance from the beginning of development. The EY-Parthenon study, “Four Actions to Pioneer Responsible AI in Any Industry”, reinforces that the success of AI is directly linked to the existence of responsible structures aligned with regulation.
“AI has been part of the financial sector for decades, but we are experiencing a new era with generative models. BB’s new infrastructure seeks to ensure that the analytical models developed and used by the bank undergo rigorous risk assessment, approval and monitoring processes, in which critical indicators, such as bias, transparency, deviation and strategic performance, will now be monitored continuously, strengthening confidence in AI-based decisions,” says Sérgio Fortuna, VP of Sales at IBM Brazil.
“AI brings opportunities for efficiency, personalization, and inclusion to the financial sector, but it requires a structured and careful look at risks. In this context, governance is essential,” highlights Telma Luchetta, AI and Data Lead Partner for Financial Services at EY in Latin America. “The EY framework covers all stages of the generative AI journey, from the pre-lifecycle, with supplier validation and homologation tests, to monitoring in production, with technical and business metrics continually adjusted,” adds the executive.
“BB is over 200 years old and plays a central role in the lives of Brazilians. For us, AI does not replace humans – it unlocks people’s potential by automating tasks. But this is only possible with structure, culture and, above all, governance. Without the partnership with EY and IBM, we would not be able to scale sustainable and reliable AI,” reinforces Rafael Rovani, Head of Artificial Intelligence at BB.
The combination of IBM's watsonx.governance and the EY Generative AI Lifecycle Framework will also enable BB to conduct rigorous testing and supplier validation checklists, mitigate risks of exposure of sensitive information and risks associated with applications, continuous monitoring to ensure compliance and efficiency, as well as clear structuring of roles and responsibilities, ensuring end-to-end AI governance.
About Banco do Brasil
BB has been developing solutions using Artificial Intelligence since 2013. Today, it has implemented more than 1,400 analytical solutions, around 700 of which use AI, covering a variety of cases, from operational efficiency and internal processes to solutions for improving customer experience and new businesses. Among its strategic pillars in the scaling and responsible use of AI, BB has invested in upskilling and reskilling its employees. Last year, it implemented a broad culture program called “AcademIA BB”, an award-winning initiative that reached almost 25,000 people throughout the organization, seeking to develop analytical capabilities. In addition, BB has been a protagonist in the evolution of Artificial Intelligence Governance processes, evolving its internal processes and being the first Brazilian bank to publish its guidelines for Ethical and Responsible AI.
About IBM
IBM is a leading global provider of hybrid cloud and AI, as well as consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, optimize business processes, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to quickly, efficiently, and securely impact their digital transformations. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting provide open and flexible options for our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion, and service.
About EY
EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society, and building trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, EY’s diverse teams in more than 150 countries deliver trust through quality assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Across assurance, consulting, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers to the complex issues facing our world today.
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