Joe Atkinson

Global Chief AI Officer

Joe Atkinson serves as Global Chief AI Officer at the PwC network of firms, one of the world's largest professional services organizations with over 360,000 employees. As a member of the Global Business Leadership Team, he leads the strategy for integrating artificial intelligence into the firm's services, delivery models, and upskilling programs for its global workforce. He joined PwC in 1993 and became a partner in 2001, marking a career spanning more than 30 years at the firm. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University. He has held multiple leadership roles, including leading the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications consulting practice, serving as the firm's first Chief Digital Officer, and later as Vice Chair and Chief Product & Technology Officer. As PwC's first Chief Digital Officer, he launched a comprehensive strategy to modernize ways of working, introducing new tools and talent models to enable innovation at scale. He oversaw the firm's technology products, platforms, and operations, and advised major global clients on technology transformation. He is recognized for his deep expertise in leading enterprise-wide digital transformation and leveraging AI to advance professional services. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Bancroft, a nonprofit health and human services organization, and is a member of the Advisory Board for the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State. At LEAP 2026, he will share his vision on adopting AI in the enterprise and professional services sectors—a critical topic for Saudi companies navigating digital transformation and national talent development.