Editorial illustration for BBVA Rolls Out AI to 11,000 Staff, Boosting Productivity by 3 Hours Weekly
BBVA Empowers 11,000 Employees with AI Productivity Boost
BBVA scales AI to 11,000 staff, saving 3 hrs weekly per employee
In a bold move that signals AI's growing role in corporate strategy, BBVA is transforming workplace productivity through widespread artificial intelligence deployment. The Spanish banking giant isn't just experimenting with AI, it's fundamentally reshaping how its workforce operates.
By rapidly scaling AI tools across its organization, BBVA has created a blueprint for enterprise-wide technological transformation. Employees are now equipped with custom generative AI solutions that dramatically simplify daily workflows.
The numbers tell a compelling story of technological integration. With 20,000+ custom GPTs developed and around 4,000 in frequent rotation, BBVA has built a strong internal AI ecosystem. Most strikingly, the initiative has already delivered tangible efficiency gains, with workers saving an average of three hours weekly.
Early adoption metrics are equally impressive. An 83% weekly active usage rate suggests employees aren't just tolerating the new technology, they're enthusiastically embracing it. Workflow tests have shown potential efficiency improvements reaching a remarkable 80%.
"We deployed initially to 3,000 employees, then very quickly jumped to 11,000 employees." - ~3 hours saved per employee per week - 83% weekly active usage - Efficiency improvements up to 80%+ in workflow tests - 20,000+ Custom GPTs created across the bank, with around 4,000 GPTs used frequently BBVA built its AI program on trust, governance, and structured learning--enabling scale without compromising security. "We created this atmosphere of being in a safe place to learn and to use AI," says Alfaro. Rather than pushing experimentation underground, BBVA brought it into a trusted environment and reduced shadow-AI risk by giving employees secure tools and clear guardrails. "Instead of shadow AI… we gave them a platform that was safe so they could start experimenting," Alfaro notes, "and we gave specific training for 250 leaders, including our CEO and chairman." - ChatGPT Enterprise deployed across teams globally - Security, legal, and compliance aligned from the start - Thousands of Custom GPTs created by employees - 250 senior leaders trained, including the CEO and chairman This structured approach is now showing results at scale.
BBVA's AI rollout signals a pragmatic approach to workplace technology. The bank has transformed productivity by thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence across its workforce, saving employees roughly three hours weekly while maintaining strong governance.
With 83% weekly active usage and efficiency gains approaching 80%, the buildation looks less like an experiment and more like a strategic transformation. The creation of over 20,000 custom GPTs, with 4,000 in frequent rotation, suggests employees are actively experimenting and finding practical applications.
What stands out is BBVA's focus on trust and structured learning. By creating "a safe place to learn and use AI," the bank has avoided common pitfalls of hasty technological adoption. The rapid expansion from 3,000 to 11,000 employees indicates confidence in the technology's real-world utility.
Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability and whether these productivity gains will persist. But for now, BBVA offers a compelling case study in responsible AI integration: technology deployed not as a disruptive force, but as a collaborative tool that augments human capability.
Further Reading
- BBVA scales up ChatGPT use, expands AI access to 11,000 employees - Qorus Global
- BBVA to roll out ChatGPT across 120,000-strong global workforce - FS-Tech
- BBVA and OpenAI collaborate to transform global banking - OpenAI
- BBVA expands its agreement with OpenAI to 11000 ChatGPT licences for the bank's employees - BBVA
- BBVA Rolls out ChatGPT to Almost all Employees in OpenAI Deal - Marcel van Oost Digital Banking
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Common Questions Answered
How many employees are now using AI tools at BBVA?
BBVA has rapidly scaled its AI deployment to 11,000 employees across the organization. The bank initially started with 3,000 employees and quickly expanded to a much larger workforce.
What productivity gains has BBVA achieved through AI implementation?
BBVA employees are saving approximately 3 hours per week through AI tools, with efficiency improvements reaching up to 80% in workflow tests. The bank has also seen an impressive 83% weekly active usage of these AI solutions.
How many custom GPTs has BBVA created in its AI transformation?
BBVA has developed over 20,000 custom GPTs across the bank, with around 4,000 of these AI tools being used frequently by employees. This extensive development demonstrates the bank's commitment to tailored AI solutions for different workplace needs.