Strategic AI Framework

Client Challenge 

The client, a commercial bank, operated more than 70 disconnected AI tools without clear governance or strategic anchoring. AI initiatives lacked consistency, data management and underlying data structures were fragmented, and trust in AI-supported processes was low. To scale beyond pilots, the bank needed a unified AI strategy, harmonised data foundations and a clear target picture for the future use of Agentic AI.

H&Z Approach  

H&Z performed a full AI Initiatives Review, mapping all existing tools, assessing redundancies and evaluating interdependencies. Across business units, 180 processes were analysed using H&Z’s structured Use Case Framework, including potential scoring, criticality and complexity assessment. 

H&Z co-designed a Strategic AI Framework defining ambition levels based on client requirements, governance, ethical standards and EU AI Act–aligned risk controls. The work also established a holistic target picture for Enterprise AI, covering required data structures, AI capabilities, platform components, roles and decision-making mechanisms to scale AI safely and consistently across the organisation. 

Building on this, H&Z developed a complementary target picture for Agentic AI, including: 

• An Enterprise Agent Platform providing secure, centrally managed AI agents for core processes 
• A controlled self-service framework, enabling selected teams to build their own process agents within governance guardrails 
• Defined roles such as “AI Stewards”, “Agent Builders” and “Responsible Owners” 

All strategic foundations were consolidated into two core deliverables: 

• The AI Guiding Principles Paper, outlining ambition, governance, roles, responsibilities and ethics 
• The AI Architecture Paper, detailing platform vision, integration principles, data structures and guardrails for scalable, safe AI. 

A transformation roadmap followed, covering tool consolidation, workforce enablement (incl. an AI Academy), maturity assessment and the establishment of an AI Competence Centre. 

Results

The bank now operates with a coherent, enterprise-wide AI strategy supported by a unified governance model and harmonised data structures. The consolidation of more than 70 disconnected tools significantly reduced complexity and strengthened oversight. Through the structured evaluation of 180 processes, the bank identified high-value areas, eliminated redundant tools and achieved an overall productivity gain of 15% FTE. 

Employee enablement played a central role: targeted training, clear usage guidelines and the establishment of an AI Competence Centre increased organisational readiness and capability. As a result, trust in AI-supported processes improved substantially, supported by greater transparency, consistent governance and clear explainability standards. 

With the defined Target Picture for Enterprise AI and Agentic AI, the bank is now equipped to scale automation safely, provide centrally governed agents and empower selected teams to build their own process agents.

Impact delivered

• Consolidation of >70 AI tools into a scalable, secure ecosystem 
• Analysis of 180 processes enabling structured prioritisation 
• Organisation-wide 15% FTE productivity uplift 
• Unified AI governance aligned with EU regulatory standards
• Transparent, ethical and compliant AI usage 
• Agentic AI Target Picture with: 
  • Enterprise Agent Platform for centrally provided agents 
  • Secure self-service framework for teams to build their own agents 
• Scalable strategic AI framework anchored in business value creation