Harsh Verma's passion for leveraging data to solve complex business challenges has been the driving force behind his impressive career. While pursuing his Master's degree at Stevens Institute of Technology, he honed his skills in data science and machine learning, forging key partnerships between his school's Business Intelligence Club and Fortune 500 companies. Harsh's drive to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry application laid the foundation for his impactful career in AI and machine learning.
Early Innovations in Machine Learning at Microsoft
Harsh's journey in data science began with groundbreaking work at Microsoft, where he played a pivotal role in advancing online search advertising through the development of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). One of his key innovations was a 2-hop GNN model that incorporated user neighborhood data—essentially looking at not just what an individual user does but also the behavior of users who are connected to them in some way, such as users who share similar interests or search patterns. By considering the activities of these "neighboring" users, Harsh's model provided a more complete picture of user behavior, significantly improving ad targeting accuracy. This led to a 5% increase in AUC and a 6% boost in click-through rates.
"Integrating neighborhood data allowed us to understand user behavior at a much deeper level," Harsh explained. "It was fascinating to see how much richer our predictions became when we started factoring in not just the individual user's history but also the behavior of others with similar patterns. It was a breakthrough in delivering more relevant ads and enhancing user experience."
Revolutionizing Compliance at Chewy
After joining Chewy, Harsh took on the challenge of revolutionizing the company's compliance processes. He developed a sophisticated natural language processing (NLP) pipeline that automated the extraction of pricing data from compliance-related communications. This innovation, which eliminated the need for manual ticketing, saved the company over $500k in operational costs.
"Automation in compliance was a game-changer," Harsh noted. "By reducing the manual workload, we not only cut costs but also dramatically improved the speed and accuracy of our compliance checks. It's about creating systems that can think and act faster than any manual process ever could."
Unlocking Profit Potential with Machine Learning
Harsh's work at Chewy didn't stop at compliance. He led the company's pricing optimization efforts, developing machine learning models that adapted to real-time market conditions. His leadership in strategic price adjustments, powered by advanced algorithms, resulted in a $20 million increase in annual profits.
"The key was to build models that could learn from the market in real time," Harsh explained. "By dynamically adjusting our prices based on competitor data and customer behavior, we were able to make decisions that had a direct and substantial impact on our bottom line."
A Vision for Generative AI and LLMs
Today, Harsh is at the forefront of one of the most exciting advancements in AI—Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). His current focus is on integrating these powerful technologies into business applications, helping companies enhance productivity and customer experience.
"Generative AI opens up possibilities that were unthinkable just a few years ago," Harsh said. "The ability to create, summarize, and filter vast amounts of information in seconds is going to revolutionize industries across the board. It's about giving businesses the tools to handle information overload in a smarter way."
Leadership and Knowledge Sharing
Beyond his technical expertise, Harsh is known for his leadership and commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. Whether working with product managers, engineers, or data scientists, he has consistently turned complex data into actionable insights that generate measurable business value. His collaborative approach ensures that everyone involved in the project understands the bigger picture, leading to solutions that are not only innovative but also practical.
"I believe that the most successful teams are those where everyone understands the 'why' behind a project," Harsh shared. "When people are aligned on the vision and purpose, it drives creativity and leads to better, more sustainable outcomes."
A Legacy of Impact
Harsh Verma's journey from academic partnerships to leading transformative initiatives in the corporate world is a testament to his passion for data science and machine learning. His work has already left a lasting impact on companies like Microsoft and Chewy, and his current focus on Generative AI signals even greater innovations to come. As Harsh continues to push the boundaries of AI and machine learning, he is paving the way for a future where technology solves the most complex challenges and drives meaningful business results.
For those interested in connecting with Harsh Verma, feel free to reach out to him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hharsh/
