CFS, USYD team up to pilot AI solutions with PhD students

Colonial First State (CFS) and the University of Sydney Business School have inked a deal that will see doctoral student candidates work closely with CFS teams to develop and pilot artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions to improve the employee experience.

The CFS Future AI PhD Internship Program will blend academic research expertise with industry experience by having the students integrate into the CFS teams and work on four projects across investment, human resources, risk and compliance, and technical advisory.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to building a future-ready workforce,” Shenaz Waples, Group Executive for People and Culture at CFS, said.

“By investing in emerging talent and exposing our people to cutting-edge research, we’re creating an AI-ready culture that will enable our teams to develop new capabilities which will lead to improved outcomes for our members and the financial advisers we work with.”

“These PhD internships are pivotal in fostering both learning and innovation,” Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School, said.

“They provide our graduate research students from the University of Sydney Business School a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with Colonial First State on complex business projects. These projects emphasise the human-centered application of AI, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical business applications.”

The program builds on CFS’ existing AI-focused strategies and initiatives – including the AI Centre of Excellence and the Ignite AI Talent Program – to enhance the experiences and efficiency for employees, clients and financial advisers, while practicing the responsible use of AI.

“AI and cloud technologies are pivotal in our mission to help Australians achieve financial freedom,” Jeroen Buwalda, Group Executive for Transformation, Technology and Operations at CFS, said.

“Our partnership with the University of Sydney brings deep technical capability into our teams. It’s about moving fast, solving real problems, and scaling innovation responsibly.”

“Internships like these are invaluable in providing our PhD scholars with new insights into complex issues facing business and society,” Professor Eliza Wu, Associate Dean (Research Education) at the University of Sydney Business School, said.

“They present a great developmental opportunity for our doctoral researchers to grasp how their research can be applied to deliver tremendous impact on business practice.”