Architecting AI-Driven Financial Systems: Innovation at the Intersection of Fintech and Emerging Tech
In this episode of the Data Science Salon Podcast, we sit down with Sasibhushan Rao Chanthati, AVP and Senior Software Engineer at T. Rowe Price, where he’s building the future of finance through intelligent, scalable technologies.
Sasi specializes in creating secure digital ecosystems and real-time analytics platforms that power AI-driven decision making at scale. With a background that spans research, software engineering, and cloud architecture, he’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at the intersection of fintech, automation, and enterprise AI.
In this episode, Sasi shares insights from over a decade of experience building next-gen systems across the financial sector, his passion for ethical innovation, and what it really takes to build future-ready, inclusive AI infrastructure.
Key Highlights:
Sasibhushan walks us through the technical backbone of modern financial infrastructure and how AI is redefining intelligent automation.
Real-world examples of building decision support systems using ServiceNow, AWS, and LLMs.
Thoughts on balancing academic research with enterprise-scale engineering—and why that blend drives better innovation.
Insights on the ethics and governance challenges facing enterprise AI adoption.
Advice for up-and-coming engineers and researchers entering today’s fast-evolving AI landscape.
This episode is a must-listen for data scientists, engineers, technical leaders, and anyone interested in how automation, AI, and cloud technologies are transforming the global financial ecosystem.
🎧 Tune in to Episode 50 to hear how Sasibhushan is shaping the future of financial systems with applied AI and inclusive innovation.
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Proactive by Design: How AI Predicts and Prevents Failures
In this episode of the Data Science Salon Podcast, we sit down with Vishnupriya Devarajulu, a Software Engineer specializing in AI- and ML-driven performance optimization for large-scale enterprise systems. With deep expertise in backend engineering, system diagnostics, and intelligent test automation, Priya is redefining how organizations build systems that don’t just respond—they anticipate.
Priya walks us through her work designing adaptive frameworks that use machine learning to forecast system bottlenecks, improve latency, and optimize performance in high-stakes environments like finance.
Key Highlights:
Priya explains how she transforms traditional automation into self-learning, AI-powered frameworks using models like Random Forest to proactively identify and solve system issues.
A deep dive into building ML-integrated performance pipelines that can adapt over time, dynamically suggest test scenarios, and drive smarter, faster, and more resilient systems.
Insights into how predictive performance engineering is being applied in domains where speed and reliability are non-negotiable—and how to architect systems for it.
Priya shares her perspective as a speaker and published researcher, and where she sees the future of intelligent infrastructure and AI-powered diagnostics heading next.
Whether you're a systems engineer, ML practitioner, or enterprise leader exploring how AI can boost operational efficiency, this episode offers a powerful look at what happens when machine learning meets performance engineering.
🎧 Tune in to Episode 49 and discover how Priya is building the future of intelligent systems—one prediction at a time.
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AI for Good: Innovating People-Centric Solutions
In this episode of the Data Science Salon Podcast, we are joined by Praveena Dhanalakota, the Founder & CEO of Soopra.ai, a San Francisco-based startup that is revolutionizing industries with AI-driven solutions. Praveena is an AI expert, tech evangelist, and a passionate advocate for using technology to address real-world challenges. In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey as an entrepreneur, her mission to solve people's problems with AI, and her vision for the future of technology.
Key Highlights:
- Praveena talks about the human impact of AI, sharing examples of how her company is using AI to create scalable solutions that improve people's lives.
- The Startup Journey: challenges and triumphs of building Soopra.ai, offering valuable insights into the startup world and the importance of solving real, practical problems with technology.
- The Future of AI: thoughts on the most exciting trends in AI, where the industry is headed, and how AI can address societal challenges like healthcare, education, and sustainability.
- As a female founder, Praveena offers advice and inspiration for women aspiring to make their mark in the tech world.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the future of AI, the startup ecosystem, or how technology can be harnessed to solve pressing human challenges.
🎧 Tune in to Episode 48 and discover how AI is transforming industries and improving lives through innovative, people-centric solutions!
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AI-Driven Financial Modeling and Leading Diversity in Quantitative Analytics
In Episode 47 of the Data Science Salon Podcast, we’re joined by Akhil Khunger, the VP of Quantitative Analytics at Barclays. With over 10 years of experience in the financial industry, Akhil has a wealth of knowledge in statistical modeling, risk management, and AI-driven forecasting. He leads efforts in developing cutting-edge financial models and adapting the Basel IV framework for Risk Weighted Assets (RWA) models. Beyond his technical expertise, Akhil is also a strong advocate for diversity within his team, leading initiatives to foster inclusive and high-performance environments in Quantitative Analytics.
In this episode, Akhil shares his journey from stress testing to AI-driven forecasting and discusses how he integrates diversity into his leadership practices. He also reflects on the biggest trends shaping the future of finance and AI.
Key Highlights from the Episode:
- AI and Financial Modeling: How Akhil integrates AI and statistical modeling in forecasting and risk management, and the role of Basel IV in shaping the future of financial analytics.
- CCAR and Stress Testing: Akhil's experience in CCAR and PRA Stress Testing, and how these results are translated into actionable insights for the business.
- Diversity in Tech: Akhil’s efforts to drive diversity in Quantitative Analytics, with initiatives focused on building inclusive and innovative teams.
- The Future of Finance and AI: Akhil shares his thoughts on the biggest developments in quantitative finance, risk management, and AI that are set to shape the industry in the coming years.
In this conversation, Akhil provides invaluable insights into the intersection of AI and financial modeling, and how diverse, high-performing teams can drive innovation and excellence in fast-evolving industries. Tune in now for expert perspectives on AI in finance, risk management, and diversity in tech.
🎧 Tune in to Episode 47 and stay ahead of the curve in finance and AI!
Be sure to mark your calendars for DSS NYC on December 11, where we will focus on finance and banking—exploring the latest trends in AI and financial regulation. Join us to hear from experts on how AI is shaping the future of finance. https://www.datascience.salon/newyork/
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AI-Driven Retail: Transforming Operations with Innovation and Diversity with Angie Westbrock
In Episode 46 of the Data Science Salon Podcast, we explore how AI is revolutionizing the retail industry, driving operational efficiencies, and fostering innovation and diversity. This episode dives into the intersection of AI, leadership, and business strategy, featuring a discussion on how AI is transforming the way retailers optimize operations and enhance customer experiences.
Our guest Angie Westbrock, CEO of Standard AI shares insights on:
Harnessing AI for Retail Transformation: Learn how AI and computer vision are reshaping retail operations, providing real-time insights to optimize business performance and streamline customer experiences.
- Building Diverse, High-Performance Teams: Discover strategies for cultivating diverse teams that drive innovation, solve challenges, and create meaningful solutions in fast-paced industries.
- Leading with Innovation: Explore how leadership in tech requires a blend of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a strong commitment to fostering inclusive and forward-thinking company cultures.
Whether you’re interested in AI’s impact on retail or how to lead with diversity and innovation, this episode offers valuable perspectives for business leaders, AI practitioners, and anyone looking to understand the future of AI in business.
The official podcast of Data Science Salon. We interview top and rising luminaries in data science, machine learning, and AI on the trends and business use cases that are propelling the field forward. The Data Science Salon series is a unique vertical focused conference which brings together specialists face-to-face to educate each other, illuminate best practices, and innovate new solutions in a casual atmosphere with food, great coffee, and entertainment.
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