Mrunali, can you please tell us about your AI journey?

I started my journey in 2015 at Fractal where I got my first exposure to AI. Before that, I had worked extensively on brand analytics across various stints. At Fractal I witnessed the revolutionary impact data technology was bringing to business processing and decision making.

I had a blast, starting out as a part of the founding team, building our cognitive intelligence product called Cuddle AI. Initially, there was a steep learning curve in bringing together AI, engineering and design for enabling the right business decisions at the right time. 

But, there has been no turning back, as each day brought a new challenge or a problem to solve, testing the limits of AI to drive impact. One of my most satisfying recent experience was being a part of the NASSCOM COVID-19 task-force and use the best of AI tech to fight the biggest war humanity has seen in decades. Needless to say, I am a convert for life.

What are the major challenges you faced as a woman in reaching where you are right now?

This is a fast-paced industry with a need to continuously upgrade yourself and everyone is always running against time. For women, this especially poses two kinds of challenges: external and internal.

 1) External – Lack of choices: 

It is assumed that women are not up for tough assignments because they want balance and they have 'other responsibilities’. Corporates, as well as the industry, need to realize that this is a misconception and that women must be given equal opportunities and a right to refuse. Only then will we spot women with great potential, else organizations are losing out on so many bright talents. 

2) Internal – Lack of confidence: 

With a lack of enough role models in the industry, I have seen many women suffer from a lack of confidence. They often doubt their ability to be able to take up and thrive in tough roles. I have seen women do exceptionally well when given a chance, and there is no reason to have this lack of confidence.

What made you initially interested in AI?

Firstly, the attraction of infinite possibilities maths and technology in innovation and enabling us to build new things every day. Secondly, the amazing intellectual capabilities of the people one gets to work with every day is a strong pull. 

As a student of mathematics I always loved solving problems and here is a field where we do this day in and day out, and each time we can have a different and better kind of solution emerging. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to ride this wave. 

What's your area of expertise in AI and why chose that one?

My expertise lies in designing holistically for problems by using AI and engineering it for scale. I have a long way to go before I call myself an expert, but I am very passionate about using cognitive AI for business decision making, machine vision for a variety of human behaviour related problems, whether it be citizens on roads, shoppers in-store or online, or even machine operators in factories.

What's the one thing that you see AI transforming completely in the coming years? 

I see AI transforming the manufacturing and supply chain space completely.

What is your biggest AI nightmare?

Self-driving AI systems being hacked. 

What's your advice for other women who want to pursue a similar journey?

Go for it. You will never regret it. It is not easy, but most great things in life aren’t. Push the boundaries for yourself, your loved ones, your peers and your organization too. Step up and lean in. You never know where you will find your strength and energy from.