“I enjoy the versatility of industrial engineering and its practical impact across industries – from manufacturing and logistics to finance and business.” – Di Xu PhD‘01
Shanghai native Di Xu came to the U.S. for graduate study. After earning his PhD in industrial engineering from the School of Engineering in 2001, he joined American Express as manager of fraud and customer management modeling. Since then, he has gained increasing responsibility – from data science to overseeing machine learning R&D for risk management – before assuming his current role as vice president, head of AI labs and AI governance in 2021. In this capacity, he leads a team that explores cutting-edge machine learning research and its application in financial services. His commitment to academic-industry collaboration includes creating an internship/fellowship program between AmEx and Rutgers, open to graduate students in industrial and systems engineering. He has served as a member of the ISE department’s Industry Advisory Board and was the recipient of the department’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is also a recipient of the 2025 Medal of Excellence Distinguished Achievement in Industry Award.
What does the Medal of Excellence Distinguished Achievement in Industry Award mean to you?
It means a lot to me. Personally, it recognizes the hard work and perseverance I’ve put into my studies. Professionally, it motivates me to keep pushing boundaries, lead with integrity, and make a positive impact. It’s an encouragement to keep learning, growing, and giving back. I’m proud to earn this Medal of Excellence recognition
Why Rutgers?
I chose Rutgers for my PhD because of its strong reputation in industrial engineering and operations and its distinguished faculty in the field. Its proximity to New York City also offered unique professional and research opportunities.
What do you most value about your Rutgers Engineering Education?
I value the strong sense of community at Rutgers Engineering and the meaningful relationships I’ve built with faculty, fellow students, and researchers. These connections have inspired and supported me throughout my journey.
What drew you to industrial engineering?
I’ve always been fascinated by optimization and finding ways to make processes more efficient. Industrial engineering connects this theory to real-world practice, allowing me to solve complex problems in practical, impactful ways. It is a versatile degree with impact across industries from manufacturing and logistics to finance and business.
How has your job evolved since you started at AmEx?
While the core principle of my work – turning data patterns into quantitative models for decision-making – has stayed the same, the job has evolved significantly. The data is now much larger, the modeling techniques have advanced with AI, and the computer power supporting it all has grown tremendously.
What excites you about your current exploration of machine learning research and its application to financial services?
I’m excited by how machine learning can make more accurate predictions and automate routine tasks, unlocking new possibilities for efficiency and insight in financial services.
What gives you the greatest satisfaction from connecting students with AmEx through its collaboration with Rutgers Engineering?
Seeing the next generation of students and researchers grow and thrive and to help them gain experience, build confidence, and make meaningful contributions is both satisfying and rewarding.
Do you have any advice for today’s engineering students?
Learning is a lifelong journey – embrace it fully and keep transforming yourself, whether you’re in school, just starting out, or well into your career.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Rutgers?
A favorite memory is the gathering my advisor, Susan Albin, hosted at her home after her famous graduate course on special research topics. We reflected on the past semester, shared ideas for future research, and enjoyed hearing her husband – a bibliographer renowned for his work on Vladimir Nabokov – share stories about collecting rare Nabokov editions. He has gathered nearly all the translated editions for almost every title. I also contributed a few Chinese editions to his collection. The gathering was an inspiring blend of scholarship, community, and curiosity.
What did you do for fun as a student – and what do you do for fun these days?
Reading has always been my favorite pastime, both as a student and today. Back then I loved spending time in brick-and-mortar bookstores – including Borders – but these days I mostly read on my computer or mobile devices.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading mostly AI and technology books. The last one was The AI Con, which offers a rare, critical perspective on the AI hype. While I’m a huge advocate of AI’s vast potential, I appreciate how this book provides a balanced view that helps keep us grounded as we harness AI’s power in this technological revolution.
If you could go on vacation tomorrow, where would you go?
New Zealand – for its beautiful scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and breathtaking night skies.
