In an effort to highlight the achievements of women in academia focused on AI, TechCrunch is featuring a series of interviews that showcase outstanding women contributing to the revolution in artificial intelligence.
Raji Arasu, the CTO of Autodesk, shared that her journey with AI spans “multiple decades,” during which she has leveraged the technology to tackle challenges associated with software.
“Whenever traditional software development methods — whether deterministic, procedural, or classic techniques — have faltered in solving intricate issues, I have consistently turned to AI, particularly for managing unstructured data,” Arasu explained during her interview with TechCrunch.
Arasu’s lengthy career in technology began in 1993 when she took on the role of engineering technical lead at Oracle. Shortly thereafter, she joined eBay as a senior manager, eventually rising to the position of VP of technology. After valuable experiences at StubHub and Intuit, she accepted a position at Autodesk, where she has worked for the last four years.
According to Arasu, many of these career advancements were facilitated by a robust network of professional support. She has made it a point to assist others in achieving their goals by actively advocating for women in technology and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, especially within boardrooms.
“At the beginning of my career, I was privileged to have a diverse array of mentors who were instrumental in boosting my confidence, articulating my viewpoints, advocating for my interests, and securing my involvement in critical discussions,” Arasu remarked. “It’s crucial to ensure that women, people of color, and individuals from various backgrounds participate in strategic decision-making processes.”
Over the years, Arasu has witnessed thrilling advancements in the AI sector. While at Autodesk, she has led the company’s research and development organization, examining AI’s potential applications in domains such as construction automation, 3D modeling, and engineering design.
“The leaps in computational power, generative AI developments, and the fine-tuning of large models for specific domains have broken through traditional research laboratory confines and integrated these technologies into everyday life,” she noted. “I am fascinated by the pace at which this AI transformation is set to revolutionize various industries.”
Despite its potential, Arasu recognizes the risks associated with AI. She pointed out that AI systems can often carry the biases and assumptions of their creators, with significant issues surrounding data privacy, transparency, and ethical data practices still requiring attention.
Arasu advocates for a “close collaboration” between the industry and government entities to formulate well-informed AI policies addressing these concerns. However, she emphasizes that effective policy development can only stem from multidisciplinary and diverse collaborative efforts.
“Unlike previous technological revolutions, there is now a clear acknowledgment that inclusive participation — particularly that of women — is critical for achieving equitable and innovative results in AI and other emerging technologies,” Arasu stated. “As AI transforms sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance, having women involved ensures that the technology mirrors a more diverse range of human experiences.”
Beyond regulatory frameworks, Arasu asserts that businesses must strive to ensure clarity in their AI systems, allowing users to build trust — or at least mitigate mistrust — concerning the decisions made by these systems. This effort begins with acknowledging customer concerns regarding their data and implementing practices to safeguard both proprietary and personal information while adhering to global regulations.
“Ethical design should steer the development process,” Arasu emphasized. “This includes incorporating diverse viewpoints and establishing governance frameworks to minimize bias and manage risks. Continuous monitoring and accountability are vital, ensuring that AI systems perform as expected and promptly addressing any issues. Ultimately, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration centered around customer needs helps guarantee that AI advances the common good while navigating risks and enhancing its societal benefits.”
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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