Xabier Muruaga
Global Head of AI & Data @ Iberdrola · Adjunct AI Professor @ IE University
About Me
I work at the intersection of enterprise AI architecture, governance, and strategy. Over the past 15 years, I have led large-scale technology and AI transformations in the energy sector – from consolidating 80+ legacy systems and deploying smart metering for millions of customers, to building a global AI & GenAI platform on Azure and AWS that delivers eight-figure annual savings.
My work is guided by a principle I call Simplexity: designing AI platforms and operating models that remain simple to govern and scale, despite the inherent complexity of LLMs, agents, and modern data ecosystems.
As a practitioner–academic, I lead Iberdrola’s Global AI & Data Center, teach ML Systems & MLOps at IE University, and am developing the AI-Native Enterprise framework to help organisations move from isolated pilots to AI-Native enterprises with clear guardrails, accountability, and measurable impact.
Professional Focus
Architecting AI-Native platforms on Azure, AWS and modern data stacks
Operationalising GenAI governance and Responsible AI (ISO 42001, EU AI Act)
Designing AI strategies and operating models for CxO-level execution
Languages
Experience
Adjunct Professor – Artificial Intelligence
Design and teach the ML Systems / MLOps course in the Master in Business Analytics and Data Science, integrating automated lifecycle practices with the architectural principles required to run production-grade AI systems at scale.
Technologies & Skills
Global Head of AI & Data
Leading Iberdrola’s Global AI & Data Center with full responsibility for enterprise AI & data capabilities worldwide. My mandate is to move the organisation from scattered AI pilots to an AI-Native operating model, through opinionated architectures, shared platforms and robust governance for both classical ML and Generative AI.
Key Achievements
- Delivered a secure, end-to-end Generative AI platform (Azure & AWS) with guardrails, red-teaming, and observability, enabling solutions that generate eight-figure annual savings in Euros.
- Engineered a reusable AI/ML platform (feature store, MLflow, CI/CD) that reduced model release cycles by over 75% and cut project onboarding time by over 60%.
- Implemented a Responsible AI governance framework, achieving readiness for ISO 42001 compliance in under six months.
Technologies & Skills
Guest Lecturer – Artificial Intelligence
Deliver guest lectures on Artificial Intelligence for the Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Open Innovation, focusing on how AI, data and experimentation enable new business models.
Technologies & Skills
Global Cloud & AI Architect
Specialised in global cloud and AI architecture, leveraging AWS and Azure to design highly scalable, enterprise-wide platforms. Drove the integration of Generative AI as a first-class capability, laying the technical foundations for the current AI & GenAI platform.
Key Achievements
- Architected and deployed a group-wide Generative AI platform in Azure and AWS, empowering hundreds of internal developers and data scientists.
- Unlocked over a hundred new AI initiatives by reducing the technical enablement time from months to weeks.
- Established best practices and governance for responsible AI implementation across the organization.
Technologies & Skills
Global Head of Technology – Smart Solutions
Directed the technology strategy and systems architecture for Iberdrola's Retail Smart Solutions (smart home, solar, EV charging), building platforms that scaled to millions of users and demonstrated how well-architected systems translate into tangible business outcomes.
Key Achievements
- Scaled smart solution products to millions of users across multiple countries.
- Delivered automation reducing sales-to-installation time by over a third.
- Increased customer acquisition by nearly 20% through improved digital experiences.
Technologies & Skills
Head of Technology – Metering & Industry Processes
Directed digital transformation for millions of UK customers, consolidating over 80 legacy systems into SAP IS-U/CRM and deploying Smart Metering solutions that materially improved billing quality and operational visibility.
Key Achievements
- Consolidated over 80 legacy systems into a unified SAP IS-U/CRM platform.
- Successfully deployed Smart Metering solutions for millions of UK customers.
- Reduced billing errors by nearly 50% through improved data processing and system integration.
Technologies & Skills
Technology Strategy Consultant
Advised IBEX-35 clients on technology strategy and transformation programs, with a focus on aligning complex delivery portfolios with evolving business priorities and financial constraints.
Key Achievements
- Designed and delivered an inter-company reconciliation system for an IBEX-35 client.
- Cut month-end financial processing time by approximately 80%.
- Consulted with C-level stakeholders to align technology delivery with strategic business objectives.
Technologies & Skills
Software Engineer
Developed enterprise applications for clients in the energy and insurance sectors, including a real-time wind-farm monitoring platform for a major Spanish utility, gaining hands-on experience across the full software development lifecycle.
Key Achievements
- Engineered a real-time monitoring platform for wind farms from the ground up.
- Implemented a Java EE solution with robust, high-performance data processing capabilities.
- Delivered the system successfully for a major Spanish utility company.
Technologies & Skills
Credentials
Professional Certifications
Data Engineering Professional Certificate
DeepLearning.AI • 2025
MLOps Zoomcamp
DataTalksClub • 2025
Machine Learning in Production
DeepLearning.AI • 2025
AI Agents
Hugging Face • 2025
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Microsoft • 2024
NVIDIA AI Infrastructure and Operations
NVIDIA • 2024
Responsible AI
Google Cloud • 2024
Generative AI for Executives and Business Leaders
IBM • 2024
Computer Vision
Kaggle • 2024
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Amazon Web Services • 2023
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Microsoft • 2023
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
HashiCorp • 2023
Generative AI with Large Language Models
DeepLearning.AI • 2023
Machine Learning Certificate
Stanford Online • 2016
Skills & Expertise
Education
MSc in Artificial Intelligence, GPA: 4.0/4.0
Universidad Internacional de La Rioja • 2023-2024
Thesis: Planetary Defense – Classifying Hazardous Asteroids using ML/DL (European ADELA Project B0036)
Executive MSc in Business Administration
Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI) • 2011-2013
MSc in Computer Science & Industrial Engineering (Exchange Program)
Tilburg University • 2010-2011
Exchange student in Netherlands; gained international teamwork experience.
MSc in Computer Science & Industrial Engineering
University of Deusto • 2004-2011
Honors Project: Developed a Social Web Platform using Python
Technical Skills
Languages
ML Frameworks
Data & MLOps
Cloud & Orchestration
Methodologies & Leadership
Enterprise Generative AI Platform
MLOps Platform
Responsible AI Framework
Planetary Defense: AI for Asteroid Hazard Classification
GenAI Story Weaver: Automated Daily Bedtime Tales
Cloud-Native RAG System with LLM Integration
© 2025 Xabier Muruaga. All rights reserved.