30 | JANUARY 6 • 2022 

ously served as the director of information sys-
tems at the company after having impressed the 
U.S. executives with his work around computer 
systems in the European office of Ford. The 
South Africa native, who made aliyah to Israel 
and completed a Ph.D. at Hebrew University, 
continues to reside in Metro Detroit.
Gur Arie’s role is focused on transforming 
Ford into a data-led business, which includes 
modernizing all aspects of the company, includ-
ing “translating connected vehicle data into 
quicker actions for customers.”
Sherwood shares that Gur Arie’s team is lead-
ing Ford’s advanced artificial intelligence appli-
cations and is integrating artificial intelligence 
to improve its manufacturing efficiencies as well 
as its massive logistics and shipping operations. 
Ford’s team of global data and analytics mem-
bers now spans 1,000 data scientists globally. 
The objectives for the team focus on key com-
pany priorities including the development of 
mobility, electrification, connective vehicles and 
autonomous driving technologies. 
A key objective for the global data team has 

been on logistics over the last year with sig-
nificant shipping challenges confronting the 
industry. Gur Arie mentioned how a year ago, 
Ford launched a system that uses historical data 
and machine learning algorithms to optimize 
shipments around the globe, which spans over 
600,000 different parts, to send less freight while 
making sure the parts arrive at the right time. 
While optimizing all these moving parts across 
80 plants has been challenging, the new system 
already saves more than $20 million a year.

THOUGHTS ON DETROIT
Gur Arie is a retired colonel in the Israeli 
Military Intelligence Corps, Unit 8200, who 
comes to Detroit with more than two decades 
of experience in data science, research and 
development, cybersecurity and intelligence 
technologies experience. His work in the IDF 
included establishing a technological unit with 
more than 1,000 employees, advancing hundreds 
of solutions within the intelligence community 
and establishing the profession of data engineer 
within the IDF where he was appointed as the 
data science representative.
“I’m proud and humble to be part of the 
leadership of this company, coming from my 
background. Ford is highly open to diversity of 
thoughts, diversity of culture, trying to get to the 
best decision on day-to-day meetings and, over-
all, on the strategy creation. So, I’m proud to be 
part of that,” Gur Arie said. 
“I do see the connection to the Israeli ecosys-
tem and in using the research center in Israel to 
tap into the local talent. So, I’m quite optimistic. 
I hope I’m not the last one 
from an Israeli perspective 
into the automotive busi-
ness. I hope others will 
follow.”
Gur Arie articulated what 
he witnessed firsthand since 
he began: The pandemic 
changed the face of the rela-
tionship between workers 
and employers. The compa-
ny, more than ever before, is 
looking for talent wherever 
it is and to connect with 
the full global ecosystem 
— even if it means hiring 
remote workers.
”
Gur Arie said that he and 
his boss are passionate about talent in the tech 
area whether they be in Israel, India, Europe, 
China or other locations.
Gur Arie, 46, has come a long way from his 
upbringing in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area of 
Hod Hasharon. Gil, whose name is often given 
in Hebrew by parents that want their children to 
embody a bright promise, not only carries with 
him a joyful demeanor — but also a sense of 
promise for the region he now resides in.
“We see great opportunities here in Detroit.
” 

BUSINESS

continued from page 29

Ford Jewish 
Group

The Ford Jewish group 
is part of the Ford 
Interfaith Network (FIN) 
Employee Resource 
Group, founded in 
2000 as one of the 
original faith affinity 
groups. Prior to COVID 
restrictions, the FIN 
Jewish Group typically 
met for a lunch-and-
learn type of event 
several times a year, 
inviting a guest speaker 
such as Rabbi Yisrael 
Pinson of Chabad in the 
D to lead a discussion. 
The FIN Jewish 
Group also participates 
in Ford Interfaith 
events such as the 
National Day of 
Prayer, the monthly 
Interfaith Discussion 
Forum (where each 
faith presents a short 
explanation of its 
teachings on the 
selected topic) and a 
FIN annual community 
service event.
The Ford Fund 
(Ford’s charitable arm) 
has supported several 
Jewish charities and 
events in Southeast 
Michigan area over the 
years, including Yeshiva 
Beth Yehudah’s annual 
dinner (Mark Fields was 
honored one year), the 
Jewish Federation of 
Metropolitan Detroit 
and support for the Yad 
Ezra food bank through 
grants and the Ford 
Volunteer Corps.

Gil Gur Arie

