Seattle-based 28-year-old AI and machine learning engineer Kriti Goyal clarified the space and provided direct insights Business Insider. Working from a small town in Rajasthan for one of the world's leading high-tech companies, her journey serves as a valuable case study for anyone wanting to break into AI.
From Bikaner to Big Tech
Originally from Bikaner, Kriti was initially aiming for a career in medicine. But it all changed when I watched the Code.org video featuring global technology leaders such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. The idea that coding can turn ideas into real-world products has inspired her to switch to technology. Today, she is part of the Foundation Model Main Framework team of the top-based high-tech company in the US, creating core infrastructure code that helps machine learning models identify patterns of invisible data.
Strategic Moves: Internships, higher education, networking
Kriti began with an internship at the current company's Indian office, but soon realized that major business decisions and innovations were taking place at the US headquarters. Rather than opting for internal relocation, she earned her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison University. This decision not only enriched her technical knowledge, but also allowed her to build connections that would help her later secure a US-based role.
After graduation, Kriti bypassed the job posting board and contacted his former manager directly. Her ability to pitch her AI solutions and employ them during her second internship made a strong impression, eventually securing her a full-time role.
Skills beyond the degree: Her advice for AI applicants
Kurich emphasizes that while her master's degree has helped her professionally and immigrate, it is not the only path to success with AI. She notes that the industry is evolving to value the skills and outcomes surrounding formal qualifications. Demonstrating your capabilities through projects, internships, or networking has become more important than ever. Her everyday life includes a combination of research, collaboration and coding, and hands-on work is her favorite. She encourages young technology experts to focus on learning by building strong networks and maintaining adaptability in rapidly changing fields.
India's growth edge in AI talent
Global companies like Meta remain favored destinations for AI employment, particularly in the role of implementation, engineering, and middle class research, as limits on the compensation limits for elite AI talent. According to AMS, Indian AI experts often only cost 15-25% of what companies pay in countries like the US. India is attractive for scaling operations.
Experts like Roop Kaistha and Sunil Chemankotil highlight India's dual benefits: cost-effectiveness and growing talent pool. The role of high-end research is still skewed towards the US, but India is steadily increasing its value chain. However, as Neeti Sharma of TeamLease Digital points out, India needs significant investment in luxury skills and innovation to compete at the highest level of AI R&D.
The role of Ultra Premium AI with its eight-digit packages may now be concentrated in the West, but India's position in the global AI ecosystem is strengthened. Initiatives such as the Indo Mission and the mature startup landscape are expected to further drive this rise.
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