Renju Zacharia is an experienced and meticulous Principal Software Engineer at Sabre Bengaluru with over two decades of expertise in airline ticketing and credit card domains. She is proficient in technology transformation, data analytics, and deploying complex machine learning and statistical modeling algorithms. She demonstrated success in both Agile and waterfall project environments, specializing in re-engineering projects.

In the current role, Renju is responsible for software design, application development, and coding for the Aviation industry. She is the key architect for Mainframe offload programs and cloud migration. She collaborates with cross-functional teams and vendors to improve products. 

Can you tell us about your AI journey? 

Coming from a background rooted in traditional technology, where I established myself as an experienced Assembler programmer, I embarked on a transformative journey into AI. My pursuit was to broaden my knowledge and skills in this exciting field. Over time, I became a proficient AI practitioner capable of crafting innovative AI algorithms and designing intricate neural network models. My first AI research article being published is one of my biggest achievements. 

What is your area of expertise in AI, and what made you choose it?  

My area of expertise in AI centres around the fascinating domain of forecasting. I chose to specialize in this field due to its profound significance and the dynamic challenges it presents. It's a field that demands a strong grasp of data analysis, statistical methods, and machine-learning techniques, making it both challenging and intellectually rewarding. 

How did generative AI impact your field of work? 

In the past, AI predominantly belonged to the domain of data scientists, engineers, and specialists. However, the recent development that allows for instructing in plain language and generating fresh content or code within seconds has made AI more accessible to a wider audience. Concerns about data privacy and copyright issues have led some organizations to impose restrictions on using Generative AI to its full potential. Nevertheless, the adoption of Generative AI has enabled us to swiftly automate specific areas, positively impacting the market. 

Describe some challenges you have faced in reaching where you are now.  

The fear of the unknown, the hesitation to confront potential rejection when submitting work for publication, or the apprehension of rejection of innovative business ideas are some of the major challenges I've faced in my career thus far. 

Do you see enough female leadership roles in corporates? In your opinion, what should change?  

Being a female leader comes with numerous challenges that women must navigate. To empower themselves, it's vital to acknowledge and address these difficulties. Finding solutions begins with identifying these challenges. Female leaders should actively seek role models within their professional sphere. If such models are scarce, they should draw inspiration from accomplished individuals in diverse fields.

Additionally, a notable obstacle for many women is achieving a work-life balance. Family responsibilities sometimes necessitate slowing down or taking breaks, which can directly impact career progression. The age bracket of 30 to 40 often coincides with nurturing children and managing various family obligations. Women must break free from these constraints and establish a harmonious work-life balance. Leveraging support systems and maintaining an unwavering commitment to their careers remains crucial, particularly if they harbour ambitions of achieving significant success. 

What do you want to say to women who wish to build careers in AI and other tech-related fields? 

The pace of advancement is relentless in the realm of modern technologies, whether AI or Cloud computing. Our guiding principle should be to upskill and reskill continuously. Every field is expansive, offering new opportunities for exploration each day. This commitment to ongoing learning sets individuals apart and makes them exceptional in their chosen domains. Leveraging online platforms for education is a valuable strategy. Free courses from organizations like DeepLearning.ai and OpenAI, led by Andrew Ng's team and the Government of India's Swayam-NPTEL, offer certification opportunities. Listening to podcasts can also be a valuable source of knowledge and insights.