As part of the ongoing Fomento Lecture Series, Microsoft’s Lead AI Cloud Solutions Architect, Aruna Chakkirala, delivered an insightful talk at Goa Business School, Goa University, on Tuesday. The session, titled “Business Impact of AI and Building Meaningful GenAI Use Cases,” offered students a first-hand perspective into how artificial intelligence, particularly Generative AI, is reshaping the world of work and innovation.
An alumna of Goa University herself, with a Master’s in Computer Applications, Aruna’s return to campus was both nostalgic and impactful. Drawing from over two decades of global experience in AI and cloud architecture, she explored the widespread influence of Generative AI across industries and how it’s essential for young professionals to orient themselves toward this transformative technology.
She advised students to focus not only on acquiring AI skills but on building domain understanding—stressing that AI should be seen as a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. This, she said, is crucial for improving job prospects in an increasingly AI-integrated job market.
Addressing a pressing concern among students, Aruna candidly acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding AI’s impact on employment. “We still don’t know how this wave of AI growth will ultimately affect job creation or displacement,” she said, validating the mixed sentiments within the academic community.
What remained constant throughout her talk was the emphasis on Responsible AI. For Aruna, responsible innovation has always been at the core of her professional journey. She spoke about the ethical dimensions of AI systems and the importance of building transparent, explainable models. Her book, Interpretability and Explainability in AI using Python, underscores this very philosophy and remains a valuable resource for professionals and learners alike.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A where students engaged with Aruna on current AI trends, future opportunities, and the importance of human-AI collaboration. The event further cemented Goa Business School’s commitment to providing students with access to leaders driving real-world tech transformation.
