South Asian women shaping the future of AI
Across the globe, South Asian women are breaking barriers and shaping the future of technology and Artificial Intelligence. From building ethical AI frameworks to developing life-saving health tech, these trailblazers are redefining innovation with purpose. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, they combine technical expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and a vision for inclusive progress—proving that the next big leap in tech will be as diverse as the world it serves.
Arati Prabhakar
Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Ph.D., is Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. Her family immigrated from India to the United States when she was three years old, moving first to Chicago and then Lubbock, Texas, where she went on to earn an electrical engineering degree from Texas Tech University. She also earned an M.S. in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in applied physics from the California Institute of Technology. She is an engineer, applied physicist, and technology leader with decades of experience driving innovation in national security, industry, and venture capital. She began her career at DARPA in 1986, leading advanced semiconductor, manufacturing, and microelectronics programs, later becoming the founding director of its Microelectronics Technology Office. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed her Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, overseeing 3,000 staff and collaborations across industries.
She went on to hold executive roles at Raychem and Interval Research, and spent a decade as a partner at U.S. Venture Partners, backing startups in energy, electronics, and semiconductor technologies. Dr. Prabhakar continues to advise on science, technology, and policy at the national level.
Kriti Sharma
Kriti Sharma is the CEO of IFS Nexus Black. Sharma is a globally recognized AI leader with a strong track record in building enterprise AI products and scaling responsible AI initiatives. She is a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologist and a passionate advocate for building technology that is ethical, inclusive, and beneficial for all. She has been celebrated globally for her work—earning a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and the Recode 100 list of top technology influencers. In 2017, she was invited as a Civic Leader to the Obama Foundation Summit in recognition of her efforts to promote ethical technology, and in 2018, she was appointed as a United Nations Young Leader at the UN General Assembly.
Through her work, she champions responsible innovation—ensuring that emerging technologies are designed to solve real-world problems while protecting human values and promoting diversity in the tech industry.
Dr. Geetha Manjunath
Dr. Geetha Manjunath is the Founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, where she led the creation of a groundbreaking AI-based test that can detect early-stage breast cancer in a non-invasive, radiation-free way. She is a computer scientist with a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science and management training from Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
With more than 25 years of experience in IT innovation, Geetha has led many AI projects at Xerox Research and Hewlett Packard Labs, and served as Lab Director for Data Analytics Research at Xerox before starting NIRAMAI. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the CSI Gold Medal, the BIRAC WinER Award 2018, and a place on the Forbes list of Top 20 Self-Made Women in 2020. Geetha is co-author of the book ‘Moving to the Cloud’ and the inventor of over 50 U.S. patents, with many more pending.
Dr. Ayesha Khanna
Dr. Ayesha Khanna is the Co-Founder and CEO of Addo, a global company that builds innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for businesses and governments. Known as one of Southeast Asia’s trailblazing female entrepreneurs, she has been recognized by Forbes for her leadership and vision in the tech industry.
Ayesha works closely with corporations and government agencies around the world, helping them use AI to improve efficiency, create smarter cities, and prepare for the future of emerging technologies like the metaverse. Her expertise lies in combining cutting-edge technology with practical strategies that make a real difference in people’s lives. Through her work, she is shaping how AI is used to build more connected, sustainable, and forward-thinking communities.
Shalini Kapoor
Shalini Kapoor is the Chief Strategist at Ekstep Foundation, where she leads Data and AI initiatives. Before this, she was the Technology Leader for AWS Asia Pacific, driving major projects in Generative AI, cloud computing, and developer tools for industries like government, healthcare, education, agriculture, public sector units, and non-profits. She has played a key role in creating, launching, and managing mission-critical applications at AWS that have impacted millions of citizens.
Before joining AWS, Shalini spent 22 years at IBM, becoming the first IBM Fellow from India. With over 28 years of experience, she is known for applying future technologies to build innovative products and solutions for sustainable growth. She is also the author of ‘AI for You – The New Game Changer’ and host of the ‘AI Infusion’ podcast on Spotify.
