In a bold move signaling its commitment to artificial intelligence, Progress has appointed Ed Keisling as the company’s first Chief AI Officer (CAIO). The newly created position underscores the company’s intent to deepen its AI strategy and integrate cutting-edge capabilities into its product ecosystem. Keisling, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Engineering for Infrastructure Management at Progress, will report directly to CEO Yogesh Gupta.
“Ed is a transformational technology leader with over three decades of experience leading and driving change,” said Gupta. “Here at Progress, he has been instrumental in advancing our AI vision and innovation efforts. His ability to bridge engineering execution with strategic business goals has been evident throughout his career. Ed is shaping our AI-first approach as we align our product offerings to the rapidly evolving needs of our customers.”
AI as a Core Business Strategy
Progress has long been an innovator in digital experience and infrastructure software, and Keisling’s appointment signals an intensified focus on AI-driven solutions. His role will involve steering AI initiatives that remove traditional adoption barriers and ensure seamless integration for businesses relying on Progress’ software.
“Our customers rely on Progress to power and solve mission-critical parts of their business, and AI is redefining how these solutions evolve,” Keisling said. “With recent advancements in AI, the pace of innovation is accelerating, removing traditional barriers to adoption. Progress has been offering AI capabilities within its products for years and has passionate teams already focused on this space. I am excited to further develop and lead this charge ensuring our customers have the tools, processes, and expertise to fully leverage AI’s transformative potential and drive even further value with our products.”
A Veteran Technologist at the Helm
Keisling brings an extensive track record in engineering leadership, cloud computing, and large-scale infrastructure management. Before joining Progress, he held executive positions at Vecna Technologies, overseeing engineering, IT, DevOps, support, program management, and analytics. He also spent 17 years at Pegasystems in senior engineering roles, refining his expertise in complex system architectures.
Beyond corporate leadership, Keisling actively contributes to the next generation of engineers, mentoring through programs like the UNH Pathways Program and the MIT Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP).
The Future of AI at Progress
As AI becomes a fundamental driver of enterprise transformation, Keisling’s leadership marks a new chapter for Progress, positioning the company at the forefront of responsible AI innovation. With its expansive global customer base, Progress aims to harness AI’s potential to refine digital experiences, enhance operational efficiency, and drive measurable business outcomes.
By formally embedding AI leadership into its executive structure, Progress is not just keeping pace with the evolving tech landscape—it’s setting a precedent for what the future of AI-powered business looks like.