Career and Educational Success
Dr. Puja Das has established herself as a leading expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology. With a bachelor’s degree in information technology, a master’s degree in computer science, and a PhD in Machine Learning, Dr. Das’s educational background sets a strong foundation for her career. Her achievements include being awarded the prestigious IBM PhD Fellowship during her doctoral studies.
Dr. Das began her career as an applied research scientist at Apple, where she utilized her knowledge of machine learning to personalize user experiences across various platforms. Her contributions to Apple Music, Apple Books, the App Store, and Apple Arcade were significant, and she played a key role in organizing machine learning summits within the company to foster collaboration.
After her time at Apple, Dr. Das took on the challenge of leading a team in developing a machine learning-based advertisement recommendation system for Twitter (now X). This role pushed her outside of her comfort zone as she managed both engineering and machine learning applied research teams. Following her tenure at Twitter, she became the head of search and personalization at Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing the customer viewing experiences on Max, Discovery, HBO, and other offerings. Her team specializes in leveraging complex AI/ML algorithms to personalize the user experience.
Dr. Das and her team played a pivotal role in the global launch of WBD’s Max as a streaming platform. While making industry impact and redefining the user experience through personalization, she continues to publish and peer-review for international conferences and journals. This commitment to both practical application and scholarly work showcases her dedication to advancing both the industry and her field of study.
Challenges and Changing Narratives
Despite her success, Dr. Das has faced challenges along her career path. One significant challenge she encountered was the scarcity of role models in her field, particularly women and minority leaders in machine learning. In response to this, Dr. Das has made it her personal goal to contribute to changing the narrative around women and minorities in machine learning. She actively engages in outreach efforts, such as speaking at conferences, participating in panels, and mentoring aspiring technologists. Through sharing her journey and lessons learned, she hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders who can see themselves reflected in the roles they aspire to hold.
Dr. Das is actively working to overcome the underrepresentation of women and minorities in machine learning. Her efforts are focused on establishing an inclusive and diverse environment in the tech industry, which fosters new ideas, innovations, and unexplored perspectives. Additionally, she has bridged gaps between data scientists and industry stakeholders, merging the worlds of academia and practicality to create progressive, workable solutions.
Making an Impact in Her Field
Dr. Das’s success can be attributed to her patience, persistence, and ability to navigate the intersection of academic insight and practical applications. Her expertise in AI and ML technologies has made a significant impact on large corporations and has served as an inspiration to the next generation of women in her field. Through her leadership, she has shown that it is possible to make a meaningful contribution and create change in a challenging and rapidly evolving industry.
Looking to the Future
As AI continues to expand its reach across various industries, Dr. Das is excited about the opportunities it presents in technology, arts, and healthcare. Leveraging her extensive expertise, she hopes to launch her own venture in the field, further pushing the boundaries of AI and ML technologies.
In conclusion, Dr. Puja Das’s journey in the field of AI and ML is a testament to her expertise, dedication, and commitment to making a positive impact. Her career achievements, efforts to change the narrative around women and minorities, and contributions to the industry position her as a leader and role model for future generations. As she looks to the future, her vision and passion for AI’s potential across different sectors will undoubtedly shape the field in profound ways.
