Dan Priest is the US Chief AI Officer for PwC, responsible for leading the firm and its clients in navigating the complexities of AI and harnessing its power. He spearheads the company’s historic $1 billion investment in AI technologies and works with major Fortune 100 companies to develop cutting-edge AI-powered solutions. Priest is a renowned expert in AI and Cloud technology, with more than 25 years of experience as a tech and innovation leader. Previously, he held leadership roles at PwC, including the Cloud & Digital Leader and the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Leader.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Dan shared insights on the role of AI in shaping the future of work, his role model, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and business strategy, and how did you become interested in AI?
I’ve always been drawn to technology for its potential to impact business performance and strategy. I’ve been an entrepreneur, I’m a long-time technologist, I led our strategy business — these experiences were great learning opportunities for me to think expansively about how AI can solve complex business problems. For many years now, that’s what I’ve been doing. This generation of AI is so powerful it can unlock new opportunities, boost efficiencies, and even reinvent business models. Now, as PwC’s US Chief AI Officer, I have the privilege of working with our clients to explore and apply AI’s full potential.
What do you love the most about your current role?
I love the opportunity to help businesses not just understand AI but to harness its power to improve and even transform how they operate, compete, and win. For so long we’ve been hearing about AI’s potential, now it’s about turning that potential into action. As CAIO, I get to work closely with leaders across industries to rethink their strategies, redesign operating models, and upskill their workforce so AI becomes an intrinsic part of business, a natural part of everything they make and do.
With AI advancing more and more, I’m focused on helping businesses stay ahead by integrating AI responsibly and strategically, making sure they’re not just adapting quickly to change but driving it. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at the intersection of AI, strategy, and business transformation. I’m energized by the impact we’re making every day.
What role do you believe AI will play in shaping the future of work, and how can businesses prepare for the changes ahead?
As AI continues to evolve, we will see our workforce expand with AI agents, also known as digital workers. They will bring deep specialization and tireless capacity that will serve us as doers of repetitive tasks and thought partners capable of helping us think through complex problems. AI agents have potential to expand the knowledge workforce, enhance roles like sales and field support, while accelerating speed to market, customer interactions, and product design. By autonomously handling tasks, generating code, assisting us with advanced analytics, or transforming design ideas into prototypes, they will reshape the way work gets done. The value will come from a human-led, AI-powered approach in which people guide and oversee AI to drive meaningful impact.
AI agents are no longer a futuristic concept. They’re here, and they’re becoming valuable extensions of the workforce. Businesses should rethink their approach to AI in the workplace—not just as a tool, but as a workforce partner. To prepare and stay ahead, companies should invest in upskilling their workforce, uncover quick and easy ways to integrate AI into daily workflows, educate employees on responsible use, and create a culture that fosters collaboration, where humans and technology work hand in hand. Humans need to know that they have an enduring role on this AI journey. They need to know they’re going to have a value proposition in the end, otherwise they won’t embrace AI for its full potential.
How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in AI and emerging technologies?
Staying current with AI and emerging technologies is an ongoing effort. It’s evolving so quickly, I really need to invest to stay current. I read a lot of articles and books, directly and indirectly related to the field. I also spend most of my dog walks and workouts listening to podcasts. And I try to immerse myself in industry insights by engaging with other thought leaders and participating in discussions that challenge my thinking. There are a lot of smart people out there worth talking to. Most importantly, I focus on applying AI to real business challenges—whether that’s new ways of doing work or helping executives unlock bigger sources of value.
I also view AI as a thought partner in my daily work and personal life, using it for research and analysis to uncover key insights, highlight trends, and even catch blind spots. By integrating AI into my own workflow, it makes me better suited to gain a deeper understanding of its real-world impact and how businesses can leverage it for meaningful transformation.
How do you approach leadership, and what qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership in the tech industry?
Great leadership in tech isn’t just about knowing the latest technology, it’s about being adaptable, innovative, and building trust. The most effective leaders embrace change, encourage their teams to experiment, and find new ways for people and AI to work together seamlessly. They also make upskilling a priority, so their workforce can stay ahead in our AI-driven world.
Beyond that, great leaders set a clear vision for how technology can drive meaningful impact and make sure it’s being implemented responsibly. The best leaders don’t just react to change, they anticipate it and guide their teams forward with confidence.
Who has been a significant influence or mentor in your career, and how have they helped shape your professional journey?
My Dad was a successful executive in business who earned senior leadership roles by working hard and thinking differently. He always sees things from a slightly different angle. Even when we disagree, I feel smarter for having had the discussion with him. He’s able to change my thinking for the better, largely by not thinking like everyone else. He did some impressive things throughout his career and I’m sure it’s because others felt the way I do. You want the benefit of this type of critical thinking and intellectual devotion to get to the right answer. That has always inspired me. Everyone needs someone to push them at the right time in the right way. My Dad does that for me.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, especially outdoors. We love sailing, snowboarding, hiking, surfing, horseback riding — really anything that takes us on an adventure. We live in a great part of the world in Huntington Beach, California. It suits our lifestyle well. But we also like to take trips in the spring to explore other parts of the world. My wife is from Turkey so visiting her mom is likely the big trip this year. Finally, I like to cook (I even use AI sometimes to do it). As a family we do chili competitions, my younger daughter is particularly creative with comfort foods, and I have a growing list of excellent sandwiches that range from simple to gourmet. You may also find us doing something related to soccer many weekends of the year — my older daughter coaches, my younger daughter plays, my wife and I cheer from the sidelines.
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how do you see yourself evolving as a leader over the next five years?
I’m having fun with being the CAIO and I believe it’s a role that’s making a difference to PwC and our clients. I’m in no rush to move onto the next thing, but I get excited about strategy, leadership, and driving businesses to the next level. AI has a role in all of those things so I’m excited about what the future holds.
What advice would you give to businesses looking to harness the transformative power of AI, and how can they get started on this journey?
The key to harnessing AI’s power is to start with a clear strategy. Don’t just adopt AI for the sake of it. Instead focus on where AI can create real value, whether that’s improving customer experiences, streamlining operations, or uncovering new insights. Businesses should also build a strong data foundation, invest in upskilling their teams, and encourage ongoing innovation in their workforce.
To begin, companies can identify those key areas where AI can drive the most immediate value, prioritize initiatives that offer scalable benefits, and foster a culture that embraces learning and adaptation. Companies that build a strong AI strategy now will shape the future of leadership, while those that hesitate risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive market. The most successful companies won’t just use AI—they’ll integrate it into their core strategy to drive real, lasting impact.
I also believe every leader needs an “aha” moment that gives them conviction that the direction they’re driving is going to pay off. Making AI an intrinsic part of business discussions, showing practical use cases, and creating moments of truth for executives to see AI’s impact will get them there.