CFTC Appoints Ted Kaouk as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has named Ted Kaouk as its first chief artificial intelligence officer.

His appointment expands his existing responsibilities as the CFTC’s chief data officer and director of the data division.

In his new role, Kaouk will be in charge of developing an enterprise data and artificial intelligence strategy to improve data-driven capabilities and boost oversight, surveillance and enforcement in the derivatives markets, the CFTC said.

According to CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam, the agency prioritizes the deployment of the strategy to modernize staff skillsets, instill a data-driven culture and enhance its operations as a financial markets regulator.

Kaouk is equipped with years of leadership experience in the field of AI and data in the public sector. Before joining the CFTC, he was chief data officer and the official responsible for AI at the Office of Personnel Management.

He also served as the chief data officer at the Department of Agriculture and the first chair of the Federal Chief Data Officers Council.