GenAIinChennAI hosted a panel session with Shymala Rajaram and Karunakaran Neelakandan, both of whom brought critical focus to something often overlooked in the Generative AI revolution:  high-quality, structured data. Generative AI is only as powerful as the data behind it, and this was the key theme throughout our dialogue.

Key Takeaways From The Panel

1. The Evolving Tech Landscape

Shymala emphasized the need for courage and openness to embrace each new technological wave—whether it’s SaaS, e-commerce, or now, AI. Meanwhile, Karunakaran shared a critical perspective on the shift from simply storing massive amounts of data to making it
actionable with AI. He also highlighted the ongoing challenge for enterprises: improving data quality and consolidating it to drive meaningful business outcomes.

2. The Data Dilemma: Is Your Data Ready?

The question isn’t just about having data—how clean and structured is it? Both panelists agreed that this is where we’ve shifted focus:

• Shymala cited Walmart’s AI-powered catalog cleansing, an example of AI enhancing data accuracy and quality.

• Karunakaran pointed out that poor data management continues to hurt enterprises, impacting crucial areas like customer predictions and inventory availability.

3. AI in Action: Real-World Use Cases

Shymala spotlighted AI’s transformative power in sectors like financial services and healthcare, Karunakaran illustrated AI’s role in
hyper-personalization in industries like travel marketplaces, where AI integrates customer data to deliver customized, data-driven experiences.

4. Advice for Young Engineers

• Shymala emphasized being open-minded and adaptable to the ever-evolving tech landscape.

• Karunakaran urged aspiring engineers to master data modeling and AI technologies to stay competitive. This expertise will be key to thriving in the next generation of AI-driven advancements.

Bookworms, Listen Up!

• Shymala recommended Mustafa Suleyman’s “The Coming Wave” for a thought-provoking exploration of AI’s impact on society.

• Karunakaran encouraged everyone to check out the Gartner Report and dive into online AI and data management courses to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.

With AI shaping the future, staying informed and adaptable is essential. Let’s continue to drive innovation together! Stay tuned for upcoming events!