Emerging tech like AI, ML, and Large Language Models (LLMs) are critical pillars driving innovation and reshaping industries. These technologies, pivotal for their ability to process and interpret massive datasets, automate complex tasks, and generate human-like text, are revolutionizing fields from healthcare to finance.
Amidst this renaissance is Shubham Upadhyay, who stands at the intersection of both business and technology, with an MBA from Yale and a Master's in Computer Science from USC. For 13 years, he's honed both sets of skills and is currently a Senior Manager at Amazon Ads. Shubham has been instrumental in pioneering efforts in fintech and digital asset management, and he has led the development of Amazon's largest Digital Asset Management system. He has a keen interest in integrating LLMs into everyday business processes like ad creation and stock trading, and he is known as a key influencer in harnessing AI's potential to democratize complex knowledge-based professions.
Interviewer: Shubham, thank you so much for joining us today. You've been at the forefront of developing AI systems, especially in automating various professional fields. What's your vision for the future of AI in these areas?
Shubham Upadhyay: It's my pleasure. Thanks for having me. My view on the future of AI might be more contrary to what you would hear in the market. The two most common answers people have are either that AI is not capable of achieving human cognitive levels or that AI will take over all the jobs. I don't think either one of them is completely true. AI will most likely become an enhancer of human workflows and augment that productivity. We should look at AI as a human partner that automates all unwanted repeated work and lets the human focus on the more creative part of the job.
Interviewer: Can you elaborate on how Large Language Models (LLMs) are integrated into these workflows?
Shubham Upadhyay: In the 90s, it was the internet; in the 2000s, it was the smartphone; and now, it's the LLM. I believe LLMs will have a similar long-term impact on our abilities to perform our jobs. One particular thing that makes LLMs particularly special is their ability to provide an interface into vast amounts of data using natural language and generate unique-looking output. These qualities make the AI bots powered by LLMs powerful human assistants and lead to solutions like the Microsoft co-pilot.
Interviewer: How do you see these technologies democratizing these complex professions?
Shubham Upadhyay: If you go back to the 80s and 90s, you see that investment banking and trading were taking off, and only the best and brightest from Ivy League schools would get a chance at success in finance. The systems were inherently complex, and access was limited. This made it even harder for someone with no connections to benefit from the boom. Only limited individuals who had the right pedigree were able to achieve success. Technologies like AI, LLM, and access to smart edge devices powered by high computing power in the cloud have now brought tools like trading to the hands of the common man. The app Robinhood is a great example of how this is happening—with no commission model and no minimum balance, the tool has made trading accessible to millions who would not be able to afford it before.
Interviewer: Let's shift a bit to AR and VR. You've expressed interest in incorporating these technologies into daily life. Can you share more about this vision?
Shubham Upadhyay: I can see AR and VR becoming ubiquitous in our lives. The applications of these technologies are mind-blowing. In the education industry—where a VR headset can take a classroom full of kids and transport them to Mars to learn about space—this will revolutionize the way kids learn, and it will provide more practice-based learning.
In the medical field, AR/VR will provide a doctor with the ability to visualize a patient's internals in a 3D space, allowing for safer surgeries. In the engineering space, these technologies will allow technicians and engineers to collaborate in a virtual 3D environment even before starting the real project. These are just a few examples of how AR/VR can change the future. One big hurdle right now is the price of the edge devices. Once the prices drop, which they eventually will, these devices will start making economic sense to most users—and that's when the wider adoption will start.
Interviewer: How do you plan to tackle the challenges of integrating AR and VR into daily life?
Shubham Upadhyay: The key challenges are accessibility and usability. We need to develop user-friendly interfaces and ensure these technologies are affordable and accessible to a wide audience. Additionally, we need to focus on creating content that is both engaging and valuable to the user. It's about finding the right balance between technological innovation and practical application.
Interviewer: Given your experience, what advice would you give to aspiring technologists interested in AI and AR/VR?
Shubham Upadhyay: My advice would be to focus on applications and on finding value for the customer. The trap that I see most technologists fall into is that they get too excited about the technology and the inner workings of the technology and forget that, ultimately, it's a human that needs to use it. If the final product is not useful to a human, it does not matter how good the technical solutions are—the adoption will not come.
Interviewer: As we look toward the future, what emerging trends in AI and AR/VR excite you the most?
Shubham Upadhyay: I'm particularly excited about the convergence of AI with other technologies like blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). This convergence has the potential to create entirely new ecosystems of smart, interconnected devices and services. In AR/VR, I'm excited about the prospects of more immersive and interactive experiences, which could redefine entertainment, social interaction, and even remote work.
Interviewer: Finally, what's the next big project or goal for you?
Shubham Upadhyay: I usually do not have one big goal. I believe in continuous improvements and focusing on finding ways to better ourselves. As someone said, "No goals, only mechanisms." Following that, I am working on finding ways to apply AI to various day-to-day applications, and I'm working with a ton of co-inventors on interesting problems. Finding smaller, more compartmentalized problems to solve is a great way to build value quickly with any technology, and that is my current focus with AI.
Interviewer: Shubham, thank you for sharing your insights and vision with us. Your work is truly inspiring, and we're excited to see what the future holds under your guidance.
Shubham Upadhyay: Thank you. It's an exciting time to be in technology, and I look forward to what we can achieve together.
About Shubham Upadhyay
Shubham Upadhyay has 13 years of experience in the tech industry and has become known as a dynamic and accomplished leader across multiple sectors. His expertise lies in areas such as fintech and digital asset management. He holds an MBA from Yale and a Master's in Computer Science from USC. Recently, Shubham has made significant strides at Amazon Ads, where he currently serves as a Senior Manager. In this role, he has been pivotal in developing Amazon's largest Digital Asset Management system, adeptly managing a multitude of engineering and data science teams. Shubham is involved in AI, machine learning, and large language models, has a reputation for innovation, and is an influential thought leader in leveraging these technologies to revolutionize traditionally complex fields.
Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/upadhyayshubham/
