Crowe announces firmwide collaboration with OpenAI

Top 25 firm Crowe announced a firm-wide integration with the ChatGPT Enterprise product, which offers a wider range of automation capabilities as well as increased model performance. 

“To be a leader in the application of AI, we must be aligned with the leaders and innovators in the AI space—and OpenAI is a widely recognized leader,” said Steven Strammello, Crowe CEO. “It is impossible to overstate the value AI will bring to businesses and, by leveraging OpenAI’s industry-leading research and technologies, our people will be better equipped to stimulate innovation and drive valuable outcomes for our clients.”

Under the agreement, Crowe will “deeply adopt” ChatGPT Enterprise. Specifically, this means that a significant portion of its market facing personnel are now licensed directly to ChatGPT Enterprise, with the remaining having curated access through the OpenAI API, said a spokesperson.

The firm will also use its OpenAI access to develop new applications tailored for industries such as private equity, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and more using OpenAI’s APIs, as well as find new operational efficiencies for the firm itself. Nearly all of these solutions, said the spokesperson, will be designed and architected in concert with their clients, with OpenAI technical leadership providing guidance (which includes proactive learning/adoption of emerging OpenAI technologies.) The spokesperson said the firm will not be a reseller of OpenAI product licensing, nor did they enter any kind of revenue sharing agreement.

The partnership also has a training and educational component. Crowe said it will also host collaborative webinars, events, and forums with OpenAI for employees to explore the evolving role of AI across sectors. The firm will also collaborate with OpenAI on AI training programs to promote a future shaped by advanced technology. 

Finally, Crowe said they will advocate for responsible AI integration aligned with OpenAI’s mission and Crowe’s commitment to governance and accountability as well as support organizations in building trust with stakeholders by implementing transparent and responsible AI practices.

“OpenAI is at the forefront of AI technology, and the true value of AI comes from how it’s strategically integrated to solve specific business challenges,” said Doug Schrock, AI managing principal at Crowe. “By integrating OpenAI, we have significantly strengthened our purpose-built approach to match the potential of AI with our clients’ unique business needs.”

Crowe has embraced AI and has made big investments in its potential. In October last year, the firm announced announced a major expansion of its Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence, effectively doubling its size through the addition of three newly established teams fully dedicated to AI pursuits. Specifically, the center now boasts AI Lab, AI Engineering and AI Enablement teams. The three teams will work with clients to advise and assist them on AI in a holistic way. The AI Lab explores new technologies and use cases, and develops proofs of concept for clients. The AI Engineering team — staffed with engineers and data scientists — facilitates the development of purpose-built AI solutions and products for clients’ specific use cases. And the AI Enablement team focuses on implementation of solutions, change management and education. 

Crowe’s approach to AI is centered around helping clients with four key aspects of AI adoption: AI data curation and quality, AI governance, AI transformation, and the development of bespoke AI tools and solutions.