Autodesk CTO Urges Diversity in AI Development Teams

To shine a light on the remarkable contributions of women in AI, TechCrunch has been featuring a series of interviews with these trailblazers.

Raji Arasu, the CTO of Autodesk, shared that she's been harnessing the power of AI for "multiple decades" to tackle software challenges.

"When traditional software development methods hit a wall with complex issues, I've often turned to AI, especially for dealing with unstructured data," Arasu explained to TechCrunch.

Arasu's journey in tech began in 1993 at Oracle, where she started as an engineering technical lead. She then moved to eBay as a senior manager, eventually rising to the position of VP of technology. After stints at StubHub and Intuit, she joined Autodesk four years ago.

She credits much of her success to a robust professional network. In return, Arasu has been a vocal advocate for women in tech and has pushed for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, especially on boards of directors.

"Early on, I was lucky to have a diverse group of mentors who helped build my confidence, encouraged me to speak up, and ensured I had a place at the decision-making table," Arasu said. "It's crucial that women, people of color, and those from varied backgrounds are involved in strategic decisions."

Throughout her career, Arasu has witnessed firsthand the rapid evolution of AI. At Autodesk, she's led the R&D team, exploring AI's potential in construction automation, 3D modeling, and engineering design.

"The leaps in computing power, generative AI, and the fine-tuning of large models have broken down the walls of research labs, bringing these technologies into everyday use," she noted. "The pace at which AI is set to revolutionize industries is truly exhilarating."

However, Arasu recognizes the risks associated with AI, such as biases inherited from their creators and concerns over data privacy, transparency, and practices.

She advocates for "close collaboration" between industry and government to develop "well-informed" AI policies that tackle these risks. Yet, she emphasizes that effective policy requires input from diverse, multidisciplinary teams.

"Unlike previous revolutions, there's a growing understanding that inclusive participation, particularly by women, is vital for achieving more equitable and innovative results in AI and other emerging technologies," Arasu stated. "As AI transforms sectors like healthcare, education, and finance, women's involvement ensures the technology captures a wider range of human experiences."

Beyond regulation, Arasu believes companies must build AI responsibly by being transparent about how their systems work, so users can trust the decisions made. This involves understanding customer data concerns, implementing safeguards for proprietary and personal information, and adhering to global policies.

"Ethical design should be at the heart of the development process," Arasu said, "integrating diverse viewpoints and establishing governance to minimize bias and manage risks. Ongoing monitoring and accountability are key to ensuring AI systems function as intended and to address any issues swiftly. Lastly, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on the customer helps ensure AI benefits society, navigating risks and maximizing its positive impact."