IRIS Software Group, a global provider of accountancy, payroll, HR, and education software solutions, has named Surya Sagi its first Chief Data and AI Officer. The newly created role reflects the company’s continued investment in artificial intelligence, product innovation, and global growth.

Sagi will lead IRIS’ global data and AI strategy, overseeing enterprise data governance and the company’s responsible AI framework. He will focus on expanding AI capabilities, advancing responsible AI practices, delivering measurable business outcomes, and identifying high-impact opportunities across products, managed services, growth, and customer retention. He will also serve on the company’s AI Steering Committee and Business Systems Architecture Review Board.

Sagi brings more than 30 years of experience building data and AI platforms, scaling cloud-native SaaS businesses, and leading mergers and acquisitions and platform integration initiatives across small and medium-sized businesses, enterprise, and regulated industries. Most recently, he founded ARKA AI and ARKA Advisors, helping organizations transition from AI experimentation to governed, outcome-focused implementation. Earlier, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Pitney Bowes.

Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Sagi said, “I’m honored to join IRIS at this stage of growth and transformation, and I look forward to working with the broader global IRIS team to strengthen data strategy, scale responsible AI, and accelerate innovation across products, services, and operations.”