Charu Srinivasan, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft. She not only codes but architects the future. Utilizing her decades of digital industry experience and leading Azure Core, Cloud and AI initiatives. Charu believes success comes not just through product releases or lines of code but through making technology empower lives; her goal is to ensure technology's future includes diverse voices and ethical AI.
Pranav Dixit of Tech Today chats exclusively with Srinivasan about her experiences as a female working in tech, the importance of mentorship, and Microsoft's dedication to developing an inclusive AI landscape.
Mentorship: An Opportunity to Strengthen
Srinivasan is passionate about mentoring others after witnessing first-hand the struggles women in tech face. She credits mentors and allies as having been instrumental in her own career journey; mentoring is one way she gives back that she's been practicing for many years.
Her approach is founded in empowerment; she urges her mentees not to listen to their inner critic and embrace all their potential. She supports initiatives like Microsoft's Women in Software Engineering mentoring program (WISE), which connects female students with industry leaders for invaluable hands-on experiences and mentorship opportunities. WISE started as an India initiative but has now spread globally; since its introduction, it has had an impactful influence on over 200 aspiring technology professionals!
Microsoft: Fostering an Environment of Mentorship and Growth
Srinivasan stresses that mentoring at Microsoft goes far beyond an individual responsibility; rather it's integrated into its culture. She states: "being a mentor at Microsoft requires cultivating an abundance mindset, integral to its culture. Constant learning and development combined with emphasis on active listening and empathy provide an ideal setting for mentorship."
Building Responsible Artificial Intelligence: A Collective Imperative
As soon as the subject changes, Srinivasan points out the rapidly evolving field of AI technology and its ethical ramifications, emphasizing its significance while emphasizing how essential it is for AI systems to be designed with safety and security in mind; safety cannot be an afterthought.
She outlined Microsoft's six principles of responsible AI, with particular attention given to fairness, reliability, privacy and inclusivity as guiding factors. These principles go far beyond mere words on paper - they're fully embedded into Microsoft's AI development processes and supported by dedicated teams within Microsoft.
Srinivasan emphasizes Microsoft's dedication to using artificial intelligence for social good by citing initiatives such as Jugalbandi, an AI chatbot that offers government assistance in multiple Indian languages; and Karya which creates language databases while creating employment opportunities in rural regions. Both initiatives demonstrate its dedication in using AI to benefit society.
Why diverse voices matter: Harnessing the power of inclusion
Srinivasan asserts that responsible AI development is closely tied to inclusion. By making AI models more transparent and explaining how they make their decisions, she asserts, we're creating a transparency culture which empowers users and builds trust for our technology.
Women are integral to the success of her mission. She emphasizes how more female representation in AI will lead to inclusive systems which reflect society. Furthermore, more women entering AI fields will open new perspectives and lead to more innovative AI solutions.
Breaking Down Barriers and Establishing Futures
Srinivasan highlights initiatives like Microsoft's Code Without Barriers program (CWB), which works towards closing gender gaps in tech by providing women access to cloud skill training, mentoring programs, networking events, employment support services and employment support - helping over 75,000 female developers in India alone. CWB represents an impressive step toward creating a more inclusive technology landscape.
Closing The Gap: A Multidimensional Approach
Srinivasan describes Microsoft's approach to closing the gender gap. Microsoft strives to level the playing field through fair and inclusive hiring practices as well as expanding recruitment efforts beyond traditional pipelines. Their commitment to supporting women career advancement is demonstrated further with programs like Springboard that assist women returning to work.
Empowering authentic selves: Fostering an inclusive culture
Srinivasan emphasizes the need for more than policies and programs when creating an inclusive work environment; she adds that Microsoft places great importance on people's lived experiences as a priority - we encourage employees to be themselves at work.
Microsoft's Diversity Initiative encompasses creating a safe environment, encouraging allyship, and actively dismantling systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from fully participating. They strive to foster an environment in which everyone feels respected, valued and empowered through embracing these values.
Women in Tech: The Future of Women in Tech - An Urgent Call to Action
Srinivasan remains hopeful about women working in tech, yet recognizes there remain challenges. She encourages women to embrace the ever-evolving nature of tech industry and continually adapt their skills so that they remain ahead of competition - she sums it all up in one phrase: "Commit to reinvent."
Srinivasan envisions a future where technology empowers all, regardless of gender or background.
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