Nikhil Srivas earned his Civil Engineering degree at 19 and then switched to a Java Developer position due to his interest. 

Nikhil has achieved success in various competitive examinations, such as UPSC Civil Services 2016, IFoS mains 2016, APFC EPFO 2015, Intelligence Bureau 2013, SBI PO 2015, SSC CGL 2014-2015, CAPF AC 2015, CAT 3 IIMs 2013, and Gate IIT 2012. 

His dedication led him to join Civil Services in 2017, and he currently serves as the Joint Controller of revenue for the Delhi telecom circle.

INDIAai interviewed Nikhil to get his perspective on AI.

Tell us about your journey from being a Java developer to being a Joint Controller of Revenue for the Delhi telecom circle.

Coding has always fascinated me since my school days. It is why a civil engineer was pulled into being a Java developer. Crafting intricate code structures, troubleshooting, and creating solutions was the cornerstone of my early professional life. The Java ecosystem offered a canvas for innovation and problem-solving, igniting my passion for technology and setting the stage for a dynamic career evolution. Within 1.5 years, I received various awards, certifications and recognitions for technical excellence.

However, as fascinating and satisfying as a Java developer, I have always felt a need to contribute more to society. Coming from a middle-class family, fortunate to receive an education at the National Institute of Technology, Prayagraj, I could do more for the nation that cared for me in my time of need. For this reason, I left my career as a software developer in 2014 and was fortunate to pass the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2016. The journey was challenging but immensely satisfying. The learnings and hardships it brought made me a better human being and expanded my horizons of knowledge. 

I am currently in charge of Joint Controller (Admin/ Revenue/ Pension/ RMC/ Audit) for Delhi Telecom Circle. Thankfully, due to the diversity owed by my profile, I received a diverse learning, too. The consistent need to update me to learn to serve and discharge my duties more efficiently has ingrained and transformed me into a hobby.

What inspired a civil engineering graduate to become a data analyst and software developer?

Learning has always been my passion; acquiring new skills and knowledge always brings a smile. I was fortunate to learn and gain over 50 certifications in various domains, scaling from humanities to Data science. This wide array of subjects from renowned academies, universities and institutions, such as the United Nations, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Indian School of Business (ISB), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), etc. has produced a rich understanding and perspective while discharging my responsibilities.

Learning new skills has become an inalienable part of my daily schedule. The recent developments in AI and data science and their news have pulled me into this domain. As the boundaries between the Digital, Physical and Biological worlds blur, creating new interactive pathways, the data that such interactions produce will be more precious than any other commodity in the future. Understanding, analysing and building relations in such massive data will determine the success or failure of any decision-making. Data-based decision-making is already an established practice currently utilized within corporate decision-making. The decision-making in the realm of public administration will use such strategies as an integral part of building policies and strategies for development. The art of data science, coupled with the vision and empathy of the state, will determine the development path that a governance unit will take. Being a Public Servant, my passion, keen interest in data science, and duty to serve the citizens better inspired me to learn Data science.

What drove you towards UPSC Civil Services?

The internal forces mainly drove me to become a civil servant. The desire to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society, address pressing issues, and participate in policy-making processes has been the guiding force behind my decision. The Civil Services offer a platform to make a tangible impact on people's lives, work towards societal progress, and contribute to the nation's overall development. The sense of responsibility and the opportunity to serve the public interest motivate me to undertake the challenges associated with the UPSC examination and aspire to be a part of the administrative machinery dedicated to public welfare. I left my job in 2014 and took a leap of faith, clearing the civil services exam 2016.

Did you get a chance to use your data analysis skills as a joint controller (revenue)?

Yes. A massive organization like the Government of India offers ample opportunities to utilize data analysis to improve your decision-making. From assessing the revenue to analyzing collection efficiencies, from trend analysis to identifying anomalies, there are many avenues where anyone can utilize their data analysis skills. Data is an integral part of finance and analyzing that data makes you a more efficient decision maker. Predictive analysis has assisted us in identifying cases of potential defaults and making proactive and not just reactive decision-making.

Not just limited to the revenue alone, the skills have equipped me to discharge welfare functions more efficiently. It has assisted me in building structures, procedures, and services and improving public service delivery. Such process restructuring was appreciated and replicated by other administrative agencies, but most importantly by the beneficiaries. However, in public administration, the reliance on data for decision-making necessitates a reasonable approach, mindful of potential pitfalls. Caution must be exercised in incomplete or biased data, recognizing the limitations of relying solely on quantitative information and ensuring the integration of qualitative insights. The timeliness and relevance of data, coupled with an astute interpretation by experts, are paramount to sound decision-making. Ethical considerations, encompassing privacy and the responsible use of information, demand meticulous attention. The inclusion of diverse stakeholder perspectives is essential to cultivate decisions that are representative and robust. Vigilance against overconfidence in predictive models and a commitment to data security contribute to the integrity of the decision-making process. A balance between adherence to data-driven strategies and flexibility to adapt to dynamic circumstances is crucial for effective outcomes. In navigating these considerations, public administrators can foster a decision-making framework that aligns with ethical standards, respects privacy, and ultimately serves the broader public interest.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue AI study as a career? What should they pay attention to to move forward?

Be ready to learn. The field of AI is like the medical sciences. Where the real-life problems and utilization scenarios are the diseases, AI is the medicine. However, your diagnosis through analytical understanding will determine how efficiently your AI as a medicine will work. Thus, You must delve deep into the technology and maintain sight of the larger picture.

AI is a highly competitive and dynamic field. A new technology or strategy is developing monthly, reducing this timespan. With the advent of large language models (LLM) and generative AIs, a creator of AI must be ready to learn and, most importantly, unlearn obsolete technologies. Unlike the traditional software ecosystems, which require a significant investment to switch the systems, AIs running on the cloud will equip the industries to switch instantly as the utility is outdated.

It is, therefore, essential to have an insatiable hunger to learn when entering the field of AI.