Shalini Kapoor Joins People+AI After Departure from AWS
Transforming Leadership in Tech
Shalini Kapoor, the former Chief Technologist for Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) at Amazon Web Services (AWS), is making a significant career move. She will be joining Nandan Nilekani-backed Bengaluru-based initiative, People+AI. Sources confirm that Kapoor’s extensive experience in technology and her commitment to voluntary services, including work with the EkStep Foundation, are key components of her new endeavor.
In addition to her role at People+AI, Kapoor is currently the co-chair of the Technology Committee at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and serves on the artificial intelligence (AI) advisory board at the World Economic Forum.
Tanvi Lall, Director of Strategy at People+AI, stated, “EkStep has volunteers that contribute across its various initiatives such as AXL, DPI^AI, ONEST, People+AI, and Bachpan Manao, etc. Shalini is one among several, and as far as we understand, volunteering is dependent on personal availability and alignment with one’s interests.”
With an impressive portfolio that includes 15 patents and four papers published in IEEE journals, Kapoor is a prominent figure in industry discussions, academia, and technology forums.
AWS Leadership Changes
The recent changes in AWS leadership have been notable. Puneet Chandok, who served as the commercial business president for India and South Asia, recently resigned, paving the way for Vaishali Kasture to step in as the interim leader. Chandok has joined Microsoft as a senior executive in India.
Chandok’s departure follows a trend of leadership changes at AWS, which has seen significant shifts over the past two years. Kapoor’s exit marks yet another significant transition for the cloud giant.
Before taking her leave, Kapoor played a pivotal role in the AWS public sector, India, leading various initiatives and go-to-market strategies while overseeing sales, partnerships, and marketing teams.
Future of AWS in India
India remains a crucial market for AWS, which has announced plans to invest $12.7 billion in cloud infrastructure by 2030. This strategic investment indicates the company’s long-term commitment to the region despite recent leadership fluctuations.
As per Kapoor’s LinkedIn profile, she has driven significant initiatives in generative AI, cloud technology, and strategies for public sectors including government, healthcare, educational technology, and non-profits.
Career Journey
Prior to her role at AWS, Kapoor spent 22 years at IBM, where she became the first IBM fellow from India. Throughout her tenure, she led innovative teams in AI research and engineering across various sectors, including climate risk and sustainability.
Kapoor’s notable contributions at IBM included the creation of Watson Internet of Things (IoT) labs and the strategic launching of research centers in Kochi and Ahmedabad.
Conclusion
Shalini Kapoor’s career transition reflects her ongoing commitment to leveraging technology for societal benefit. As she joins People+AI, her diverse expertise will likely contribute to significant advancements in AI and its applications across various sectors.
Questions and Answers
1. What role did Shalini Kapoor hold at AWS?
Shalini Kapoor served as the Chief Technologist for Asia Pacific & Japan at Amazon Web Services.
2. What initiative is Shalini Kapoor joining after leaving AWS?
She is joining People+AI, a Bengaluru-based initiative supported by Nandan Nilekani.
3. What are some of Kapoor’s achievements?
Kapoor holds 15 patents and has published four papers in IEEE journals, showcasing her contributions to the technology sector.
4. How long did Kapoor work at IBM?
She worked at IBM for 22 years, where she was the first IBM fellow from India.
5. What is AWS planning for its India operations in the coming years?
AWS has announced an investment of $12.7 billion to build cloud infrastructure in India by 2030.
