Autodesk CTO Raji Arasu on the Importance of AI Team Diversity

Celebrating Women Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence

TechCrunch is dedicated to highlighting the contributions of women in the field of Artificial Intelligence, publishing a series of interviews with remarkable individuals who have shaped the AI revolution.

Raji Arasu’s Decades of Experience with AI

Raji Arasu, currently serving as the CTO of Autodesk, has leveraged AI to tackle complex software challenges for “multiple decades.”

According to Arasu, AI has consistently provided solutions when conventional software development methodologies – including deterministic and procedural approaches – proved inadequate, particularly when dealing with unstructured data. She shared this insight during a recent interview with TechCrunch.

A Career Trajectory in Technology Leadership

Arasu’s professional journey began in 1993 at Oracle, where she initially held the position of engineering technical lead.

Subsequently, she joined eBay as a senior manager, progressing to the role of VP of technology over time. Following successful tenures at StubHub and Intuit, Arasu accepted a position at Autodesk, where she has been a key figure for the past four years.

The Importance of Professional Networks and DEI

A robust professional network played a significant role in opening doors for Arasu throughout her career.

She actively supports others by championing women in tech and leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with a particular focus on board representation.

Mentorship and Inclusive Decision-Making

Arasu credits a diverse group of mentors with fostering her confidence, encouraging her to express her views, advocate for herself, and secure a place at the decision-making table.

She emphasizes the critical importance of including women, people of color, and individuals from diverse backgrounds in strategic discussions.

Witnessing AI’s Evolution at Autodesk

Throughout her career, Arasu has observed firsthand the rapid advancements within the AI landscape.

At Autodesk, she leads the company’s R&D organization, which is actively exploring AI applications in areas such as construction automation, 3D modeling, and engineering design.

The Transformative Power of Generative AI

Arasu notes that improvements in computing power, the emergence of generative AI, and the fine-tuning of large models for specific domains have propelled these technologies beyond research labs and into practical applications.

She expresses excitement about the potential of this AI revolution to reshape industries across all sectors.

Addressing the Risks and Ethical Considerations of AI

While acknowledging the potential of AI, Arasu also recognizes the inherent risks.

She points out that AI systems can inadvertently reflect the biases of their creators, raising concerns about data privacy, transparency, and responsible data handling.

Collaboration Between Industry and Government

Arasu advocates for close collaboration between industry stakeholders and government entities to develop informed AI policies that address these risks.

She stresses that effective policy requires input from multidisciplinary and diverse groups.

The Essential Role of Women in AI’s Future

Arasu highlights a growing recognition that inclusive participation – particularly from women – is crucial for achieving equitable and innovative outcomes in AI and other emerging technologies.

She believes that women’s involvement is vital to ensure that AI reflects a broad spectrum of human experiences as it transforms sectors like healthcare, education, and finance.

Building Responsible AI Systems

Beyond regulation, Arasu believes companies must prioritize transparency in their AI systems, enabling users to understand and trust the decisions they make.

This requires a deep understanding of customer data concerns, robust data protection practices, and adherence to global policies.

Ethical Design, Monitoring, and Collaboration

Ethical design principles should be central to the development process, incorporating diverse perspectives and establishing governance frameworks to mitigate bias and manage risks.

Continuous monitoring, accountability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with a customer-centric approach, are essential for ensuring that AI serves the common good and maximizes its societal benefits.