#AI360Express | Spotlight Series | Priya Devarajulu | Clermont, USA

Voices in AI: Priya Devarajulu, #EWTAlliance Global Ambassador Shares Her Journey

In the #AI360Spotlight Series, Priya shares:

At AI360Express, we believe innovation thrives where inclusion leads. That’s why we’re spotlighting real professionals shaping the future of AI.

We asked Priya 5 questions to uncover what drives her, what she’s building, and what advice she has for the next generation of women in AI.

1️⃣ Origins: What sparked your journey into AI/ML?

My journey into AI began with a strong foundation in both research and teaching. While

pursuing my Master’s in Computer Engineering, I served as a Graduate Teaching

Assistant for courses like Machine Learning and Computer Architecture, an experience

that deepened my understanding of intelligent systems and sparked a lasting interest in

adaptive, data-driven technologies.

This foundation matured through hands-on work across fintech and healthcare systems, where I addressed high-impact challenges including fraud analytics, SEC-compliant workflows, and privacy-first processing under HIPAA. These were high-stakes domains where precision, trust, and reliability were critical. In those settings, I realized how much more effective and proactive systems could be with AI. It became clear that machine learning wasn’t just a new layer but a more innovative way to solve intensely complex problems. I shifted from simply applying models to architecting frameworks that blend intelligence with accountability.

One such initiative is an AI-powered performance optimization framework at American

Express, designed to predict load failures using telemetry-driven insights. My work was

competitively selected for DevCon 2025, highlighting its enterprise-scale potential. Today, I

focus on designing resilient AI systems for complex, regulated environments—where innovation must go hand-in-hand with integrity.

2️⃣ Legacy Project: What’s one initiative that defined your impact?

A defining initiative in my AI journey has been the development of a performance optimization framework for enterprise-scale software systems. Designed to predict load degradation and proactively tune system configurations, the framework leverages historical telemetry and test data to anticipate and prevent performance bottlenecks.

I led the architecture and implementation of this solution, which used machine learning models such as Random Forest for failure prediction, Bayesian Optimization for performance tuning, and SVMs for anomaly detection. The result shifted from static, threshold-based testing to predictive, data-driven optimization aligned with engineering and compliance standards. In parallel, I was honored to serve as a panel discussion member at Data Science Salon (DSS) NYC, an international conference sponsored by S&P Global, where I engaged with fellow AI leaders on the evolving impact of AI in financial technology. The experience deepened my commitment to building responsible, domain-aware AI systems that balance innovation with

trust in regulated environments.

3️⃣ Mentor Wisdom: What’s your top advice for women entering AI?

Don’t wait to feel fully ready, start where you are, and let curiosity lead you. AI is a fast-moving field, and there’s no single path into it. What helped me most was being willing to learn across disciplines, ask questions others were afraid to ask, and build things that solved real problems, not just impressive ones.

You don’t have to come from a “perfect” background to make a meaningful impact. In fact, your unique lens, whether it’s shaped by privacy concerns, product intuition, or domain expertise, is your strength.

Also, seek mentors, but don’t be afraid to be one. You’ll grow by teaching just as much as by learning. And remember: AI doesn’t need more voices that sound the same. It requires your clear, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience. The future of this field depends on who has the courage to shape it, and every unique perspective matters.

4️⃣ Future Vision: How can AI better empower women in tech globally?

AI can empower women in tech when designed not just with inclusion in mind, but with diverse creators at the table from the start. The most significant shift will happen when women aren’t just AI users but builders, researchers, and decision-makers shaping its direction.

We need AI systems that recognize the real-world barriers women face—across access, representation, and bias in data. That means building platforms that correct for historical gaps, elevate underrepresented voices, and offer personalized pathways to growth and opportunity.

But empowerment isn’t only technical, it’s structural. Creating accessible education, mentorship networks, and equitable hiring pipelines is as critical as building unbiased models. When women have the tools and the platform to lead, AI becomes a catalyst, not just for more intelligent systems, but for systemic equity.

The more inclusive AI becomes in its design and governance, the more powerful it becomes as a tool for driving global impact with women leading the way.

5️⃣ Hidden Superpower: What underrated skill drives success in AI?

My hidden superpower is calm problem-solving under pressure. I’ve worked in high-stakes environments, financial platforms handling live trading data, healthcare systems processing sensitive claims, and enterprise applications governed by tight regulatory deadlines, where mistakes weren’t just bugs; they had real consequences.

I’ve also managed production environments where time-sensitive issues, SLA violations, and potential financial penalties demanded fast, clear decisions. In those moments, I’ve learned to stay composed, isolate the root cause, and work methodically, even when the pressure is high.

This mindset has consistently helped me deliver technically sound and operationally reliable solutions. It’s also been critical in my AI work, where model behavior, data accuracy, and system trust must all align.

Calm execution isn’t always the loudest skill in the room, but it’s often the one that keeps things running when it matters most.

Meet Vishnupriya S Devarajulu

Software Engineer | FinTech & AI Governance Expert

🎓 M.S., Computer Engineering – University of Houston Clear Lake

📍 Based in Clermont, USA

Vishnupriya S. Devarajulu is a globally recognized fintech expert and AI researcher with over a decade of impact in software engineering, cybersecurity, applied machine learning, and

enterprise data systems. Her expertise spans intelligent system design, full-stack engineering, and regulatory-compliant architectures across high-stakes domains, including fintech, healthcare, and enterprise platforms.

She has led transformative solutions for global firms such as American Express, Wells Fargo,

Cigna, FIS, and Credit Suisse. Her most recent work on AI-based frameworks for predictive

performance optimization was competitively selected for presentation at DevCon 2025. Her

research paper on mission-critical software testing was also chosen for the prestigious NASA-supported Small Satellite Conference, hosted by Utah State University. Vishnupriya’s thought leadership includes judging international innovation programs such as the

Credit & Collections Technology Awards, Risk Technology Awards and high-impact innovation competitions such as the WEkEO-Copernicus EU Hackathon, TartanHacks (CMU) and others. She has also spoken at global conferences including DSS NYC (sponsored by S&P Global), Women in Tech Global, and others, contributing to discourse on ethical AI, GenAI regulation, and scalable enterprise architecture. A published author and active peer reviewer, she has presented at IEEE conferences and contributed to peer-reviewed journals. She holds advanced certifications from Harvard University (Data Privacy), NVIDIA (Generative AI), and the SANS Institute (AI and Cybersecurity).

As a Global Ambassador for the Empower Women in Tech Alliance

(EWTAlliance), she champions inclusive innovation, responsible AI leadership, and global

collaboration in technology.

About AI360Express

AI360Express is a dynamic platform designed to make artificial intelligence accessible and understandable for everyone—from beginners to professionals. Our mission is to deliver concise, insightful, and up-to-date content about AI trends, tools, and applications that empower individuals and organizations to harness the power of AI effectively.

Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to deepen your knowledge, AI360Express provides expert analysis, practical tips, and curated resources to help you stay informed and confidently navigate the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

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💡 Whether you're an AI enthusiast, tech leader, or just curious about the next big thing, this is your go-to resource to stay ahead of the curve.

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