CBA will work more closely with Microsoft in the areas of generative AI and cybersecurity as part of a expanded partnership agreement.
Gavin Munroe, group CIO and group technology director, said Microsoft engineers in Seattle “have already started working with CBA on a set of experiments with real-world use cases to improve the experience of our clients “.
“Through our continued partnership, we will be able to provide technology that will allow customers to seamlessly interact with CBA and resolve queries faster than ever,” Munroe said.
“We also see this as an opportunity to work with leading global technology teams to ensure that CBA’s safety and security is constantly upgraded and improved, to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape.”
The expanded partnership appears to position Microsoft as a mainstay a “CommBank customer co-pilot” for which Munroe first revealed his plans late last year.
At the time, it was unclear exactly what technological base the co-pilot would use; the bank has an existing strategic partnership with H2O.ai, which underpins the vast majority of its GenAI use cases.
CBA said today that co-pilots, built on Microsoft, would also be offered to staff.
“(We will) develop co-pilots to help team members use generative AI to better meet customer needs,” the bank said.
A significant part of the expanded partnership with Microsoft is focused on cybersecurity.
This will include more intelligence sharing “to improve cybersecurity and develop tools for CBA’s business customers to help them better protect themselves”, as well as “working together to develop cyber skills capabilities to help the ‘Australia to keep pace with the world in artificial intelligence’.
The cybersecurity elements were reinforced by comments from Microsoft Australia and New Zealand managing director Steven Worrall.
“Our collaboration will also go beyond immediate business outcomes, addressing critical societal challenges through enhanced cybersecurity and the development of sovereign capabilities,” Worrall said in a statement.
“Together, we aim to not only improve the security posture of CommBank and its customers, but also increase Australia’s resilience to evolving cyber threats.
