Tell us about your career journey so far.

I initially started out in fashion, completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in India. Although I realised that fashion wasn’t the career path for me, I also had the opportunity to study management as part of my course. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted global exposure and the chance to meet people from different backgrounds – all of which ultimately led me to Imperial.

When I graduated in 2022, AI was beginning to gain serious momentum. I went straight from Imperial to Quench.ai, a tech start-up in London. Over the next three years working there, I immersed myself in the AI community, connecting with experts in the field from around the world. I want to use the experience I have gained so far for good! I’ve always been very curious, and my love of learning naturally drew me towards the education sector where I now advocate to bring AI literacy to grassroots communities across India.

What does ‘AI for Good: Educate, Empower, Elevate’ mean to you?

For me, ‘AI for Good’ means using it responsibly to make education more personalised, inclusive and accessible. What I love most about AI is the transformational power it has!

In many places AI is still in its infancy. Often students and educators will only engage with it superficially, such as opening ChatGPT to ask for help with an assignment. As part of my advocacy work, I have been running sessions in school and universities to raise awareness of the tools available, and importantly, to share responsible use of AI. There have been some fantastic initiatives set up by the Indian Government, such as The AI Samarth initiative and Responsible AI for Youth, but many people don’t know they exist. When I share the resources out there, I see teachers taking notes or photos so they can go any explore them later. Some even follow up with messages of thanks or links to tools they’ve started using. These small moments show me that people are genuinely interested and open to learning more.

One of the things I am most proud of in my career to date, is using my experience from both Imperial and the AI sector, to spread knowledge at a grass-roots level and create real change.

What do you hope for the future of AI in education?

The conversations I’ve had to date are still very much on the surface – we are providing people with basic information and introducing them to the tools available to them. Looking ahead, I believe AI should be an integral part of the education system. These are skills students will be needing in the future, and they should be learning about it now.

I’d love to see AI embedded into the curriculum, and we should also be providing specialised training for educators. I think AI has the potential to make education much more accessible, particularly in remote areas. For example, there is a village in Uttarakhand, India, where they are using a robot to educate students because they only have a handful of teachers. My hope for the future is that we can use technology and AI to make a real change in the places which need it most.

Alongside your advocacy work, you are a finalist in Miss Universe India. How have you found the experience?

It has been amazing and surreal. It wasn’t something I had imagined myself doing, but pageants have evolved so much in recent years, and they have become much more inclusive. Miss Universe India has given me a platform to share my story and advocate for a cause I care deeply about - AI literacy and education. It has opened doors for me that would have taken me much longer to reach.

One of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to raise funds for underprivileged children in India. Knowing that we’re contributing to meaningful change makes me genuinely happy. I’ve also had the chance to meet over 50 inspiring women from across the country, and I’ve learnt so much from them all.

I’m very grateful to the Miss Universe India team for creating such an inclusive space and giving me a platform to advocate for AI for Good.

How did your time at Imperial shape your professional life?

Moving to London and joining Imperial at 21 was a big change, and I didn’t really know what to expect. The global exposure was incredible. Our classroom was so diverse, and interacting with students from all over the world really broadened my perspective and helped shape who I am today.

I also took on a student leadership role, which really helped me to develop my confidence and people skills. One of the aspects I appreciated most about the programme was how independent it encouraged us to be. We weren’t spoon-fed, and that’s something I’ve found so valuable in my career.

And of course, the Imperial name opens doors! I’m very proud of my association – for me it wasn’t just a degree, it has given me a lifelong community.

How have you stayed connected to Imperial and the alumni community?

It’s a wonderful feeling to be a part of the Imperial community. I’ve stayed in touch with my course mates, collaborating with them professional and personally whenever I can. I also make an effort to keep up to date with the latest developments, especially new start-ups coming out of Imperial.

My first job with Quench.ai was based as Scale Space, where the Business School also has a campus. Being so physically close to Imperial, means it feels like I never really left!