World’s Most Influential Business Leaders 2025

Stephen  Chase

Global Head of AI & Digital Innovation 

KPMG  (United States)

Stephen Chase is one of the most influential voices in the enterprise today. He is leading as a Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation at KPMG, one of the world’s Big Four consulting firms.

With 20+ years of consulting and leadership experience, he is leading in Big 4 and has transformed the business market, helping organizations to make the operations better and easier for people working in that sector. He is ruling in the field of AI, data and trying his best to make things work out in this field.

In an era where artificial intelligence plays an important role in the industry. Stephen Chase stands at the forefront of his transformation. As the Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation at KPMG, he is not just leading a technological change but he is also shaping how global enterprises think, operate, and compete in an AI-first world.

KPMG’S AI Evolution Under His Leadership 

As one of the Big Four Firms, KPMG has long been a trusted advisory to businesses in the global market. It is getting recognized globally also. His influence is undergoing a shift in the market. 

Key points to remember:

1. Embedding AI into core consulting offerings, not just as an add-on

2. Building AI-powered enterprise solutions across industries

3. Investing in cloud, data and automation ecosystems.

4. Establishing global frameworks for Responsible AI governance 

A journey defined by technical aspects 

Unlike many tech leaders who come from engineering backgrounds. Chase’s journey is rooted in business consulting which gives them a unique platform.

Let’s decode his career journey in phases to understand what made him successful.

Phase 1: Foundation in Consulting 

Starting his career in early 2000s, Chase focused on:

Business Transformation

Enterprise Strategy

Operational efficiency

This phase helped him to understand the truth about technology.

Technology only works when ideas are aligned with business outcomes.  

A journey defined by technical aspects 

Unlike many tech leaders who come from engineering backgrounds. Chase’s journey is rooted in business consulting which gives them a unique platform.

Let’s decode his career journey in phases to understand what made him successful.

Phase 2: Leading Large-Scale Transformations

As he stood within KPMG, he led:

Multi-million dollar digital transformation programs

Cross industry consulting engagements

Large teams delivering complex enterprise solutions

Phase 3: Entering the AI Frontier 

Recognizing the shift toward AI, Chase worked on it aggressively:

Championed AI adoption within KPMG

Build internal capabilties and innovation

It is focused on real world use cases, not only theory.

Phase 4: Global Leadership Role 

Now as a Global Head, Chase is:

Driving AI strategy across 140+ countries.

Aligning global teams on unified innovation vision

Ensuring AI is deployed responsibly and ethically. 

Ques. Why is AI critical for businesses today and what advice would you like to give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Ans. If we look into AI as a tool for business. The companies that successfully integrate AI into their core strategy are not only improving efficiency but are also redefining their business models.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice is simple: 

First learn about AI tools, embrace them. Technology alone will not help in building a successful business. You have to be smart enough to know how to use your creative skills and tech skills to run a successful business. 

Ques. What is your experience as Global Head at KPMG?

Ans. My experience as the Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation at KPMG has been challenging and rewarding also. It is a role which includes technology, strategy and global collaboration. Every day, I have the opportunity to work with teams and collaborate with them. As we work on a global level, it’s mandatory to use AI in an ethical, transparent and trustworthy way. 

Ques. What are the challenges you faced in the initial phase of your career?

Ans. The early phase of my career was shaped by uncertainty, steep learning curves, and the need to constantly prove value. Entering the consulting world, I realized that technical knowledge was not enough. The real challenge I faced was to understand how businesses operate and how decisions should be made under pressure.

Ques. How does KPMG ensure a responsible AI deployment?

Ans. At KPMG AI is a foundational principle embedded in every stage of AI deployment and development. As organizations have increasingly started relying on AI so it has built trust, transparency, and accountability becomes essential. We emphasize human oversight. AI should augment human decision and not replace it entirely. 

Ques. What is the biggest misconception about AI?

Ans. One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it can replace human intelligence. But this is not the case. AI can’t think in a way humans think and it can never take the place of humans. The truth is that successful AI adoption requires deep integration with business strategy, as well as investment in data infrastructure and talent.