How to Build Enterprise AI: Data-First, Culture-Driven

Jan 16, 2026

In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just a tool - it's a competitive differentiator - the question is no longer if enterprises should adopt AI, but how they can do so effectively. Mark Bloom, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Arthur J. Gallagher, brings his deep experience in technology and leadership to address this very issue. In a recent discussion, Bloom shared insights into his journey at Gallagher, emphasizing the importance of a data-first approach paired with an inclusive, culture-driven strategy for building and scaling enterprise AI.

Here’s a deep dive into the transformative strategies Bloom and his team have executed, offering actionable insights for business leaders looking to leverage AI for operational excellence and growth.

The Intersection of Technology and Culture at AJ Gallagher

Gallagher, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerages, operates in over 65 countries, employing a massive global workforce that recently surpassed 70,000 due to acquisitions. For Bloom, the key to successful innovation lies in Gallagher’s unique culture - one that prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and shared goals.

Unlike organizations plagued by siloed operations and territorial decision-making, Gallagher thrives on a unified approach. Bloom describes the company’s culture as "special", noting its focus on collective success: "It’s not about ‘me,’ it’s about ‘we.’" This ethos has been instrumental in driving large-scale transformations, including the integration of AI, which requires buy-in across all levels of the organization.

Laying the Foundation: A Singular Global Data Strategy

When Bloom joined Gallagher in 2022, he faced a massive challenge: the company had over 800 different data repositories scattered across its global operations. Recognizing that quality data is the backbone of AI, Bloom spearheaded an ambitious initiative to consolidate these repositories into a centralized data strategy.

Why a Unified Data Strategy Matters

Eliminates Redundancies: By consolidating data into a single repository, Gallagher standardizes processes, reducing inefficiencies caused by disparate systems.
Improves Data Quality: A centralized approach ensures higher accuracy and timeliness, both critical for effective AI.
Enhances Client Value: The strategy enables the creation of advanced, data-driven client reports, boosting service quality and customer satisfaction.

This transformation required clear communication and a carrot-and-stick approach. Business leaders were incentivized to integrate their data into the system by highlighting the tangible benefits - such as access to valuable, AI-powered reports.

"Leading with value" has been a core principle for Bloom’s team. As he explains, "Our businesses are asking, ‘How fast can you get my data into that repository so I can start leveraging these reports?’ This alignment around value accelerates adoption."

Democratizing AI Across the Enterprise

One of Gallagher’s standout achievements is the development of an internal AI system, created in partnership with Microsoft. What makes this initiative truly transformative is its democratization: all 70,000 employees have access to the platform, regardless of their role or location.

Why Democratization Works

Employee-Driven Innovation: By giving employees direct access to AI tools, Gallagher taps into their creativity and expertise to generate real-world use cases.
Scalability: Wider adoption across the workforce ensures the platform evolves based on diverse needs, making it more robust and adaptable.
Cost-Effectiveness: Unlike competitors that rely heavily on external solutions, Gallagher’s employee-driven approach minimizes expenses while maximizing ROI.

This strategy has already yielded numerous use cases, particularly in middle- and back-office operations. These include automating repetitive tasks like policy checks and streamlining workflows to improve response times for client requests.

The Next Frontier: Revenue-Driven AI

Having established a strong foundation with operational use cases, Gallagher is now shifting its focus to revenue-generating opportunities. By leveraging AI to deliver actionable insights to clients, the company aims to enhance customer engagement and drive additional growth.

"AI allows us to provide tailored insights that help our clients make better decisions", Bloom notes. "By helping them succeed, we create more opportunities to deepen relationships and expand our revenue streams."

Balancing Governance and Agility

Implementing AI across an organization as large and complex as Gallagher requires rigorous governance. Bloom highlights the importance of maintaining robust oversight to ensure data accuracy, ethical use, and compliance with global regulations. At the same time, agility is crucial: the AI strategy must evolve rapidly to keep pace with technological advancements and changing business needs.

Gallagher’s success in balancing these priorities underscores the importance of strong leadership. Bloom emphasizes that technology leaders must also be business leaders, with a deep understanding of operational goals and customer expectations.

Transformative Acquisitions: Scaling Through Integration

Gallagher’s growth strategy is twofold: organic expansion and aggressive acquisitions - about 90 companies per year, in fact. Each acquisition brings the challenge of integrating new systems and teams into Gallagher’s centralized infrastructure.

Integration Blueprint

Core System Standardization: Newly acquired companies are integrated into Gallagher’s existing systems by default, ensuring consistency and scalability.
Cultural Alignment: The collaborative, inclusive culture at Gallagher helps smooth the transition for new teams, minimizing resistance and accelerating adoption.
Data Consolidation: Acquired companies’ data is quickly migrated into Gallagher’s unified repository, enabling them to leverage the organization’s AI capabilities.

This integration process not only streamlines operations but also delivers immediate value to acquired companies, many of which benefit from enhanced capabilities and resources.

Key Takeaways

Unified Data is the Foundation of AI: Centralizing data ensures higher accuracy, timeliness, and scalability, which are essential for effective AI implementation.
Culture Drives Success: A collaborative, inclusive culture fosters innovation and accelerates adoption of transformative technologies.
Democratize AI to Unleash Innovation: Giving employees access to AI tools generates valuable use cases and accelerates ROI.
Lead with Value: Highlighting tangible benefits - such as enhanced client reports - encourages buy-in at all levels of the organization.
Balance Governance with Agility: Strong oversight and adaptability are key to scaling AI responsibly.
Focus on Revenue-Generating Use Cases: Once operational efficiencies are realized, AI can be leveraged to create new customer value and revenue streams.
Acquisition Integration is Crucial: Standardizing systems and aligning cultures ensures that acquired companies quickly contribute to organizational goals.
AI Will Augment, Not Replace, Jobs: As AI evolves, its primary role will be to enhance productivity and enable new ways of working, rather than eliminate roles entirely.

The Future of AI in Enterprise

As Bloom aptly notes, "AI isn’t going anywhere." Its potential to transform industries is clear, but realizing its benefits requires a thoughtful, strategic approach. By focusing on data quality, fostering a collaborative culture, and prioritizing value creation, Gallagher has positioned itself as a leader in enterprise AI. For other organizations seeking to follow suit, the roadmap is clear: start with the fundamentals, empower your people, and let innovation flourish.

By adopting these principles, business leaders can not only optimize operations but also set their organizations up for long-term, scalable growth in an AI-driven world.

Source: "How Gallagher Built Enterprise AI on Culture and Data First | Technovation 1039" - Metis Strategy, YouTube, Dec 22, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKaM-G2Selw