Arun Shastri

Arun Shastri is an authority on artificial intelligence and its impact on business transformation. At ZS, Shastri serves as a global leader in the firm's AI practice, leading classical and generative AI implementations throughout his career. His work guides the development of AI-powered products that deliver value to B2B and B2C clients across industries, including high-tech, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and travel and transportation. Shastri holds a doctorate in decision sciences from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Shastri's career combines academic expertise with executive experience. He was with ZS from 1995 to 2010, serving clients on a range of commercial effectiveness issues and opening the firm's Boston office. Before rejoining ZS, Shastri served as chief strategy officer at IntraFi, a fintech company focused on asset and liability solutions for banks. His background in consulting, fintech strategy, and AI implementation provides a multidimensional perspective on technology's role in reshaping industries.

Shastri is widely published and engaged in public discourse around artificial intelligence. A regular contributor to Forbes, his articles have also appeared in Harvard Business Review, Information Week, and other publications. He is co-author of "The Harvard Business Review Sales Management Handbook," which addresses digital competencies and AI implementation in sales. Shastri also hosts the "Reinventing Customer Experience" podcast, featuring discussions with leaders from companies such as Walmart, United Airlines, Panera, and Goldman Sachs on delivering personalized experiences and engaging customers through technology.

Shastri lectures for Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management executive education program, teaching digital transformation and AI applications in sales. His commitment to education includes moderating conversations at Healthcare Leadership Council briefings in Washington, focusing on AI's role in healthcare and related policy solutions. ZS has been named a Leader in the Forrester Wave for customer analytics service providers, with Shastri highlighting the firm's focus on combining domain expertise with targeted technology solutions, such as the Personalize.AI and MaxAI platforms. Whether advising executives, contributing to industry publications, or shaping AI policy discussions, Shastri remains at the forefront of conversations on artificial intelligence and business innovation.