Raji Anarasu, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Autodesk, has been a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) for multiple decades. In a recent interview, Anarasu shared her experiences, insights, and vision for the future of AI, emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.

Anarasu's journey in tech began in 1993 when she joined Oracle as an engineering technical lead. She then moved to eBay, where she worked her way up to the role of VP of technology. After tenures at StubHub and Intuit, Anarasu accepted an offer at Autodesk, where she has remained for the past four years. Throughout her career, Anarasu has been driven by a passion for solving complex problems using AI, particularly when traditional software development approaches have struggled to address unstructured data.

Anarasu credits her professional support network for many of the opportunities she has had. She has, in turn, become a vocal advocate for supporting women in tech and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly for boards of directors. "Ensuring that women, people of color, and individuals with diverse backgrounds are part of strategic decision-making is vital," Anarasu emphasized.

In her role at Autodesk, Anarasu has overseen the company's R&D organization, which has explored AI applications in areas like construction automation, 3D modeling, and engineering design. She is excited about the rapid progress being made in the AI space, citing advances in computing power, generative AI, and domain-specific fine-tuning of large models. "I'm captivated by the speed at which this AI revolution is poised to transform industries across the board," Anarasu said.

However, Anarasu also acknowledged the risks associated with AI, including biases and assumptions reflected in AI systems and concerns around data privacy, transparency, and practices. She believes that close collaboration between industry and government is essential for creating well-informed AI policies that address these risks. Moreover, Anarasu stressed the importance of multidisciplinary and diverse collaborative groups in shaping these policies.

In terms of building AI responsibly, Anarasu advocates for companies to ensure that their systems are transparent about how they function, so that users can trust the decisions they make. This requires understanding customers' concerns about their data, putting practices in place to protect proprietary and personal information, and maintaining compliance with global policies. "Ethical design should guide the development process," Anarasu said, "incorporating diverse perspectives and creating governance frameworks to reduce bias and manage risks."

Anarasu's vision for the future of AI is one where women's involvement ensures that the technology reflects a broader range of human experiences. She believes that inclusive participation is essential for achieving fairer, more innovative outcomes in AI and other emerging technologies. As AI continues to reshape industries like healthcare, education, and finance, Anarasu's insights serve as a timely reminder of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.

Through her work and advocacy, Raji Anarasu is inspiring a new generation of women in tech to pursue careers in AI and other emerging technologies. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion serves as a powerful example of the positive impact that can be achieved when individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to shape the future of technology.