Hitachi has appointed Anand Birje as Chief Executive Officer of its Digital Engineering & AI Solutions Business Unit (DEAI BU), effective August 3, 2026, strengthening its leadership as it expands digital engineering and artificial intelligence capabilities across global markets.
According to the company's announcement, Birje succeeds Jun Abe, who previously held the position alongside his responsibilities as CEO of Hitachi's Digital Systems & Services Sector.
Leading Hitachi's integrated AI and digital engineering business
In his new role, Birje will oversee Hitachi's integrated digital engineering and AI business by bringing together capabilities across GlobalLogic, Hitachi Digital Services and Hitachi Vantara.
His responsibilities will include expanding the company's capabilities in:
- Digital engineering
- Cloud
- Data
- Platform engineering
- IT-OT integration
- Artificial intelligence
The company said these capabilities will support enterprise transformation initiatives across industries.
Birje will also help advance Hitachi's Physical AI strategy and accelerate the global expansion of HMAX, the company's portfolio of AI-enabled solutions for industrial operations. His mandate includes strengthening collaboration across Hitachi's business units and technology ecosystem to deliver industry-specific digital and AI solutions.
Birje outlines his priorities
Commenting on the appointment, Birje said he was looking forward to leading the integrated business.
"I am truly humbled and excited to join Hitachi as the CEO of Digital Engineering and AI Business Unit that combines our capabilities across Hitachi Digital Services, GlobalLogic, Hitachi Vantara."
Veteran technology executive joins Hitachi
Birje brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning digital engineering, cloud, data, artificial intelligence and enterprise transformation.
Before joining Hitachi, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member at Encora Inc. He stepped down from the role following Coforge's acquisition of Encora, which was completed in April 2026.
Earlier in his career, Birje spent nearly two decades at HCL Technologies, where he held several senior leadership positions.
His most recent role at HCLTech was President of Digital Business Services and a member of the company's Executive Management Team.
His previous leadership roles at the company included:
- Senior Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Digital and Analytics Services
- Executive Vice President for Infrastructure and Cloud Services in North America
His professional experience also includes positions at Atesto Technologies, Capgemini and Emerson Process Management.
Appointment supports Hitachi's digital ambitions
The leadership appointment comes as Hitachi continues to integrate its digital engineering and AI capabilities across multiple businesses.
The company operates across Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility and Connective Industries. Through its Social Innovation Business, it combines information technology, operational technology and products to develop digital solutions for industries and social infrastructure.