Former dunnhumby Man to Lead AI Integration for Kroger

In the US, supermarket chain Kroger has appointed Milen Mahadevan, currently President of its analytics unit 84.51, in the new role of Chief Data and AI Officer, overseeing the group's adoption of agentic AI capabilities.

Mahadevan joined the group when it acquired dunnhumby's US business in 2015, having spent nearly fifteen years with the customer data pioneer - he joined dunnhumby out of College in 2000 as a Junior Insight Analyst, Retail and CPG. He became COO of 84.51° in 2017 and was named President and CEO in 2020. He will retain the latter role while taking charge of AI, working with the company's business unit leaders to embed advanced AI capabilities into both internal processes and customer engagement, as it seeks to 'fully maximize our data assets and advantages.'

Chairman Ron Sargent made the announcement during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call last Thursday, with CFO David Kennerley adding that the appointment makes 'a big statement' about how seriously the firm is taking AI: 'We have significant investment dollars in 2026 and beyond targeted at making sure that we crystallize this opportunity. Like many other companies, we're at the early stages. We've made some good progress, but we've got a lot more to do.'

Thus far the grocery giant has used Instacart technology to allow shoppers to use AI to fill their baskets; and launched an AI virtual assistant called Sage, used by staff to check work schedules and ask for time off, among other activities.

Thanks to www.grocerydive.com for much of the above.