# Target executive leadership changes in AI

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/target-executive-leadership-changes-in-ai
> Updated: 2026-08-17T10:55:45.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Target has appointed Chandhu Nair as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and Senior Vice President. Joining from Lowe’s, Nair is tasked with coordinating generative AI investments across inventory management, customer experience, and internal decision-making to support a multiyear turnaround strategy. 

His mandate focuses on using AI to improve frontline operations and provide better tools for team members. Alongside Nair’s appointment, the retailer named Purvi Shah as Senior Vice President of User Experience; both executives report to Chief Information and Product Officer Prat Vemana.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Target and Rackspace appoint new Chief AI Officers

Target Corp. and Rackspace have appointed new Chief AI Officers, Chandhu Nair and Chetan Gupta, to lead their respective retail and enterprise AI strategies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/target-and-rackspace-appoint-new-chief-ai-officers

### 2026-08-11: Target appoints Chandhu Nair as first Chief AI Officer

Target has appointed Chandhu Nair, formerly of Lowe’s, as its first Chief AI Officer to lead generative AI integration across inventory, customer experience, and decision-making.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/target-appoints-chandhu-nair-as-first-chief-ai-officer-1

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Cite as: Target executive leadership changes in AI. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/target-executive-leadership-changes-in-ai