Shekar Sivasubramanian

From pioneering software engineer to taking on the role of Head of Wadhwani AI, Shekar Sivasubramanian has spent nearly four decades building AI that truly matters.

A mechanical engineering graduate from IIT Bombay and seasoned researcher at Carnegie Mellon University for 20 years, Shekar now leads efforts to deploy AI solutions across India’s health, agriculture, and education sectors.

Under his leadership, Wadhwani AI has developed over 25 real-world AI applications, including tools like ‘Shishu Maapan’ to help ASHA health workers track newborn growth, and pest-management apps used by over 100,000 farmers

“AI is the least important part of AI problem-solving,” he says, urging a problem-first approach that is grounded in local realities. He adds, “If AI works in India, it can work anywhere,” highlighting India’s diverse data environment as a unique testing ground.

Wadhwani AI, under Shekar’s watch, is one of the few AI organisations working directly with government ministries, a testament to its focus on embedding ethical AI into public systems. With over 250 staff and counting, his mission is clear: applying AI at scale to benefit millions in the developing world. Rooted in research yet driven by impact, Shekar Sivasubramanian is not just an AI leader but an architect of AI for the public good.