Synchrony expands AI strategy with OpenAI collaboration, names chief AI officer

Synchrony is expanding its AI strategy with OpenAI tools, AI-powered shopping plans and a new chief AI officer.

Stamford-based consumer finance company Synchrony has expanded its artificial intelligence strategy with a new OpenAI collaboration and the appointment of a chief AI officer. Synchrony said it has entered an enterprise collaboration with OpenAI aimed at incorporating financing, rewards and loyalty programs into AI-based shopping and checkout experiences. The company also plans to deploy OpenAI models and tools across its operations and make offers from its Synchrony Marketplace available through a ChatGPT plugin. Synchrony is a publicly traded consumer finance company that partners with retailers, health and wellness providers and other businesses to offer credit cards, installment loans and other financing products. The OpenAI collaboration comes as Synchrony also builds out its AI leadership. The company recently named Nimrod Barak chief AI officer, effective June 30. Barak is responsible for Synchrony's enterprise-wide AI strategy, governance and implementation. Barak previously served as managing director and head of AI Center of Excellence and Emerging Technologies at Citi. He has more than 20 years of experience leading engineering, data and AI organizations. Synchrony said nearly all of its professional workforce has been using AI tools since 2024. The company is also providing AI-related employee training as it expands use of the technology across its operations.