Home Depot Recruits Ford Tech Leader to Scale Agentic AI

The Home Depot has named Ford Motor Company artificial intelligence leader Franziska Bell to head the home improvement retailer’s integration of agentic AI and machine learning.

As its new executive vice president and chief technology officer, effective Monday (April 6), Bell will lead The Home Depot’s efforts around technology, product management, data and AI, the company said in a Tuesday (March 31) press release.

Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot, said in the release that the retailer’s customers engage with it online, in stores and, increasingly, with AI.

“Fran is a respected leader in data science and AI, and she understands the power of technology to improve the customer experience,” Decker said. “Her expertise will be invaluable as we invest to remove friction and make home improvement seamless for our associates and customers.”

At Ford, Bell led “led AI transformation” as chief data, AI and analytics officer, according to the release. Before that, she served as senior vice president of digital technology at BP and held executive roles at Uber and Toyota.

In her new role at The Home Depot, Bell will drive the integration of agentic AI and machine learning across the enterprise to benefit the retailer’s associates and customers, including both do-it-yourselfers and professionals, per the release.

“I’ve always believed that the most powerful technology is the kind you don’t notice, because it’s busy behind the scenes making your life easier,” Bell said in the release. “Joining a customer-first brand like The Home Depot is an incredible opportunity to put technology and AI to work where it matters most — helping homeowners confidently take on their first renovations or giving Pro contractors the digital tools they need to grow their businesses.”

During a February earnings call, The Home Depot executives said one of the ways the company aimed to deepen loyalty among professional customers was by rolling out an AI-powered tool that allows contractors to upload digital plans and receive automated material estimates within minutes.

PYMNTS reported in December that The Home Depot also added an AI-powered tool for DIYers: a conversational system designed to help customers research home improvement projects online.