Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, October 2025 — Saurabh Chakraborty has joined McDonald’s as Senior Director & Head of AI Engineering, where he will lead the company’s AI strategy and innovation agenda for the global quick service restaurant (QSR) industry. In his new role, he will spearhead the AI Lab, build AI engineering capabilities across McDonald’s globally, and serve as the Technology Site Leader for the company’s India offices.
Saurabh brings a distinguished record of leadership spanning over two decades across AI, digital transformation, emerging technologies, and cloud innovation. His expertise will be instrumental in driving McDonald’s technology-led transformation journey as it continues to redefine the future of customer experiences through data and AI.
Before joining McDonald’s, Saurabh served as VP & Head of AI at SmartSoC Solutions Pvt. Ltd., where he led global initiatives at the intersection of Silicon and Artificial Intelligence, pioneering advancements in EdgeAI, Generative AI, Deep Learning, and Data Science. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Valtech as AVP & Head of Emerging Tech & AI/ML, overseeing R&D and engineering across AI, AR/VR, and consumer internet technologies, and leading some of the company’s most innovative digital transformation programs.
Earlier, at KPIT, Fujitsu India, and Capgemini, Saurabh led multiple R&D and cloud-based innovation programs in collaboration with global technology partners such as Google, AWS, and Microsoft. His leadership helped develop scalable enterprise solutions that advanced automation, AI adoption, and digital innovation for clients across industries.
A founding member and Secretary of the IIBA Bangalore Chapter, Saurabh has contributed to the professional development of business analysts and technology leaders for over 15 years. Early in his career, he conducted research at ISRO on Project BlueCode—a collaborative initiative with NASA and RV College of Engineering—focused on improving data processing algorithms for the Mars Rover, showcasing his early commitment to deep tech innovation.
At McDonald’s, Saurabh will focus on building next-generation AI engineering frameworks, advancing AI-driven automation, and establishing a global center of excellence in AI to strengthen McDonald’s leadership in technology-driven customer experience and operational excellence.
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer, operating over 37,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, with more than 90% of its restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees. Employing 1.9 million people worldwide, McDonald’s is known for serving iconic favorites such as the Big Mac, World Famous Fries, Chicken McNuggets, and Egg McMuffin.
With a growing focus on AI, data, and digital innovation, McDonald’s continues to transform the quick service restaurant experience, leveraging technology to enhance personalization, efficiency, and customer delight on a global scale.
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