Shanti Srinivasan has over a decade of experience in Business Intelligence Strategy, Corporate Performance Management, BI Governance. This story dwells into her journey as an AI leader.  

Can you tell us about your AI journey? 

A data professional with over two decades of experience, I've held various leadership roles at leading firms, including Capgemini, Deloitte, Tech Mahindra, and now Infocepts. In my professional journey, I've had the opportunity to partner with prominent Indian firms like Ashok Leyland, Asian Paints, Marico, Tata Power, TAFE, and Nissan-Renault, contributing significantly to their innovative data and AI projects. I've also served as a trusted advisor for our global clients in banking, retail, and manufacturing, enhancing their data, analytics, and AI capabilities. As the Marketing Head at Infocepts, I am currently responsible for developing and executing comprehensive strategies to attract and retain our growing client base, fueling the company's growth in the Data & AI sector.  

Talking about some of my recent recognitions and interests, I was awarded the prestigious 'Women in Tech Leadership Award’ by Analytics India Magazine in 2023. My keynote speech at 'The Rising 2023', notable women in tech conference on the topic 'Navigating your way to leadership roles in Data & AI', received considerable acclaim. Additionally, the 'Women in IT Summit & Awards - Asia' recognized me as one of the top 10 Data Leaders of the Year in 2022. I actively share my knowledge of data and AI through speaking engagements, articles, and whitepapers. I'm passionate about mentoring, especially in advancing women's technology careers, which I bring to my role as a jury and mentor in Jombay's 1000 Women Leaders Program. 

My academic background includes an engineering degree from BITS, Pilani, and a Management degree from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. An avid reader, I am currently broadening my perspective with Max Tegmark's: "Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of AI," a thought-provoking book that delves into the complex interplay between human existence and artificial intelligence. 

What challenges do women face in building a tech career? How can the business community and society address this issue collectively and efficiently?

With women constituting only 26% of the tech workforce and a mere 15% in leadership, the representation of women continues to be low in the tech sector. Based on my experiences and observations, here are four major barriers that women often face in professional settings:  

• Credibility Battle: Women often encounter skepticism about their technical competence and leadership potential, leading to fewer negotiations for promotions and salary increases. To overcome this, women should recognize their own worth, confidently showcase their skills, articulate their value, advocate for themselves, and negotiate assertively. 
• Work-Life Balance: The demanding nature of tech careers often conflicts with family responsibilities, risking burnout and career stagnation for women. Organizations need to implement women-friendly policies, such as flexible work hours, focus on work quality as a performance measure, and supportive leave policies, aiding women to balance their professional and personal lives. 
• 'Super-Woman' Syndrome: Women striving for perfection in every aspect of life feel overwhelmed. It’s important for women to seek support, starting with family, and to prioritize tasks. Letting go of certain responsibilities and embracing available support systems can alleviate stress and improve focus on career goals.  
• Lack of Female Role Models and Mentors: The limited number of female leaders in tech often leaves women feeling isolated. Organizations should create a supportive environment by establishing mentorship programs featuring female leaders and also inviting external female mentors. Women can also create their own networks for peer mentorship and learning, drawing inspiration from role models in diverse spheres, including family. 

What qualities do women inherently bring to the table that make them assets in a tech company? 

In my view, women bring the following unique set of qualities that make them an invaluable asset to the tech industry.  

• Holistic Thinking: Women often excel in seeing the bigger picture, considering various perspectives and outcomes. This approach leads to more comprehensive solutions in technology, where understanding the broader impacts of projects or decisions is key. 
• Resilience: The fast-paced nature of tech requires adaptability, a quality where women, having faced diverse challenges and roles throughout their lives, often excel. Their resilience enables them to navigate changing technologies, persist through setbacks, and drive innovation forward, even in the face of adversity or rapid change. 
• Emotional Intelligence: Women exhibit strong emotional intelligence and empathy, fostering collaborative and inclusive work environments. These skills are important for team management, conflict resolution, and creating user-centric products in tech.  
• Openness to Learn: Women's ability to balance being receptive to feedback while maintaining assertiveness is invaluable in tech. This quality encourages continuous learning and ensures that diverse viewpoints are heard and integrated into decision-making processes. 

I strongly believe that these inherent qualities that many women bring to the table enhance the work culture within tech companies and contribute to more innovative, empathetic, and user-focused technological solutions. 

How do you think corporate companies are moving the needle in terms of supporting more women to participate in tech building/development? 

There’s a significant push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in organizations today, particularly in the tech industry. Active forums such as women in tech conferences and networks both within India and globally are also driving this trend. Organizations are seeking to implement comprehensive DEI strategies to foster a diverse and inclusive culture. However, challenges remain, including cultural barriers in different regions and resistance to change within organizations. Addressing these through employee engagement, feedback loops, and adapting strategies to fit diverse cultural contexts is key. 

To further this progress, companies should establish targeted programs for hiring, retaining, and promoting women. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, development opportunities, and setting gender targets for promotions are critical. Hybrid work models and affirmative actions are also vital for an equitable and inclusive environment. These steps not only improve the retention of women in tech but also support their advancement into leadership roles.  

Can you analyze the impact of generative AI in your field of expertise?

Generative AI is a significant & recent advancement in the field of AI that synthesizes new content from existing data forms, including images, music, text, and code. This tech is revolutionizing data analytics by speeding up the conversion of data into actionable insights and redefining experiences for the consumers of insights. I already see its application in code generation and in enhancing insights adoption.  

In my view, Large Language Models (LLMs) within Generative AI are particularly effective in tasks where absolute precision isn't critical; however, their accuracy is not yet sufficient for detailed reporting and analytics. Generative AI addresses the limitations of human cognition, offering unbiased alternatives that enhance our ability to analyze and interpret complex data sets. In the near term, I anticipate significant use of this tech in enhanced data generation, data preparation, and the creation of natural language interfaces for more intuitive data Q&A. 

Moreover, I'm intrigued by the potential of Generative AI to redefine our human legacy. This technology could use detailed personal data to train LLMs, creating digital personas that mirror individual personalities with remarkable authenticity. This aspect of Generative AI edges us closer to addressing a profound question: Can technology grant a form of immortality to humans? 

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

For women aspiring to build careers in AI and tech-related fields, here are my three key pieces of advice:

• Develop Broad-Based Skills: In an era increasingly dominated by AI and automation, the true value for data professionals lies not just in technical skills but in a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end data analytics lifecycle, including a deep understanding of business challenges and ensuring the effective adoption of insights. In addition, fluency in AI technology and adopting an AI-first mindset will enable data professionals to leverage AI solutions proactively for enhanced productivity and user experience. 
• Focus on your Soft Skills: The power of storytelling and problem-solving in data analytics cannot be overstated. Storytelling can significantly increase the impact and retention of your message, while effective problem-solving hinges on asking the right questions, grounded in a deep understanding of the business, product, and industry. Practicing these skills daily at work can make a huge difference in your career. 
• Build Your Personal Brand: Establishing your personal brand is crucial for long-term success. This involves being recognized for your expertise and effectively presenting yourself to the world. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to create and maintain your digital presence is a great starting point. Remember, consistency, authenticity, and transparency in your online persona are key to standing out.