Citi elevates Sharad Joshi to Managing Director and Chief Auditor, Artificial Intelligence Assurance

Citi has elevated Sharad Joshi to Managing Director and Chief Auditor, Artificial Intelligence Assurance, marking a new chapter in his leadership journey with the financial services company.

Sharad shared the move as he takes on the new position, bringing his experience within Citi to a role focused specifically on artificial intelligence assurance.

A New Leadership Role in AI Assurance

As Managing Director and Chief Auditor, Artificial Intelligence Assurance, Sharad's remit centres on providing assurance around the use and governance of AI across Citi.

The role reflects the growing importance of independent oversight as financial institutions increasingly incorporate AI into technology, operations and decision-making.

For large financial organisations, AI assurance can involve assessing whether AI systems are governed appropriately, whether associated risks are understood and managed, and whether controls remain aligned with regulatory and organisational expectations.

Bringing Audit and AI Together

The combination of Chief Auditor responsibilities with a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Assurance remit places Sharad at the intersection of internal audit, technology and AI governance.

As AI adoption expands, traditional technology controls increasingly need to be considered alongside questions around model risk, data, transparency, accountability and the use of AI-enabled systems.

A dedicated assurance leadership role creates a structured focus on these areas as Citi continues to develop its use of artificial intelligence.

The Growing Need for AI Assurance in Financial Services

Financial institutions operate within highly regulated environments, making governance and risk management important considerations when deploying emerging technologies.

AI introduces additional considerations because systems can influence decisions, generate outputs and increasingly operate across multiple business and technology processes.

AI assurance therefore extends beyond evaluating individual systems. It can also involve examining the frameworks, controls and processes that determine how AI is developed, deployed and monitored.

Supporting Responsible AI Adoption

Sharad's new position comes as financial institutions continue exploring how AI can be applied across their organisations while maintaining appropriate governance.

The assurance function can provide an independent perspective on whether controls and processes are operating as intended and whether emerging risks are being identified as AI capabilities evolve.

That makes the role relevant not only to technology teams, but also to the broader governance structures surrounding AI adoption.

A Broader View of AI Risk and Governance

AI assurance is becoming an increasingly distinct area of focus as organisations move from experimentation toward wider deployment.

For Citi, having dedicated leadership focused on Artificial Intelligence Assurance places greater attention on how AI-related risks and controls are assessed across the organisation.

Sharad's new remit brings together senior leadership, audit and AI oversight as Citi continues navigating the opportunities and governance requirements associated with artificial intelligence.

A New Chapter at Citi

Sharad's elevation to Managing Director and Chief Auditor, Artificial Intelligence Assurance marks the next stage of his career at Citi.

His new role places him at the centre of an increasingly important area for financial services, where AI innovation needs to operate alongside strong governance, controls and independent assurance.

About Citi

Citi is a global financial institution providing banking and financial services to consumers, businesses, institutions and governments across markets worldwide. The company operates across areas including banking, capital markets, wealth management and transaction services.