In Conversation with Neha
Neha (smiling):
Renuka, 20 years with Sathguru Soft and now spearheading our AI revolution! It is exciting. How did this transition into AI leadership begin for you?
Renuka (laughs gently):
It has been quite a journey! I have always led product divisions, from Microsoft to Java to Mobile. But about three years ago, when the discussions around AI became serious, I felt this strong pull. Not just to observe it, but to create with it.
That is when I raised my hand to lead our AI initiatives. It started with experiments, small internal models. Today, AI is woven into more than fifteen interventions across our products, many live and actively used by clients.
Neha: fifteen interventions? That is impressive! Could you share how it feels to have practically built so much before formally pursuing academic learning at ISB?
Renuka: Honestly, humbling, and empowering. We did real work first, built AI for chart suggestions, column mapping, anomaly detection, forecasting… all integrated directly into our products. Clients started using them and loved the simplicity it brought.
When I joined the ISB leadership program on AI after this hands-on exposure, it was magical. Every concept discussed, from ML pipelines to LLM opportunities had a practical memory in my mind. I could relate instantly.
What the program added was perspective and breadth, seeing how other participants were approaching AI, hearing debates in the classroom, understanding scale challenges and ethical considerations. It reinforced that we were already on the right path, but also showed how much more potential there still is.
Neha (leaning forward):
That must have been very validating. So, did your practical experience make academic learning easier or more challenging?
Renuka (smiling):
Both! Easier, because the concepts were not alien. I was not learning in isolation; I was connecting dots very quickly and effortlessly.
But also, more challenging because I kept thinking:
“How do I bring this new perspective back to Sathguru Soft?”
Every class I attended, I had our products and teams in mind. It became a wonderful loop, practical work informing learning, and learning enriching practical work.
For example, during an AI ethics session, I could instantly think of how our AI-driven recommendation engine in Retail ViVA should avoid bias. Or when discussing data lakes and federation, I reflected on how SART360 stitches multiple datasets together effortlessly.
Neha: It sounds like your mindset has shifted from building features to shaping intelligence across the products.
Renuka: Exactly. Initially, AI was seen as “nice to have.” Now, for us, it is central.
Our vision is simple: Products should delight customers without asking them to be technical.
AI is what makes that possible, suggesting, guiding, summarizing, predicting, recommending, all behind the scenes. And with more than fifteen interventions already live and several more in progress, this is not theoretical. It is reality.
My team does outstanding job; They are young, bold and always think out-of-box. Problem solving is what they love and made it as their habit.
Neha: And what about the team? You are managing diverse divisions, Microsoft, Java, Mobile, AI, how has the team embraced this AI-driven culture?
Renuka (enthusiastically):
I am proud of them. Initially, there was curiosity mixed with doubt. But once they saw our AI models working live and clients appreciating them, excitement took over.
Today, they do not see AI as “out there.” It is their tool, their enabler. In fact, many from Microsoft teams have upskilled themselves to contribute to AI modules. That is the culture here, learn, adapt, innovate.
Neha (smiling):
Finally, what is next? Where do you see Sathguru Soft’s AI journey heading?
Renuka (pauses, then confidently):
We have crossed the first milestone successfully, embedding AI into daily product usage.
Now, the next phase is even more exciting:
· Agentic AI, where the system proactively advises users.
· AI-powered auto reports and analytics, making new setup zero effort.
· Continuous learning models that evolve as customers use them.
· Integrating our own LLM into our ERP products to make ERP usage effortless and interesting
And importantly, I believe in Responsible AI. As we scale, ensuring fairness, transparency, and explainability will be key.
My ISB learning gave me a broader lens, and my Sathguru Soft journey keeps me grounded in execution.
As a company, we are small in size but think very big. AI will make our products not just useful, but lovable and indispensable.
Neha (smiling):
Beautifully said, Renuka. This blend of hands-on innovation and academic learning is truly inspiring for all of us. Thank you!
Renuka (smiling, with a sparkle):
Thank you, but let me just say this…
“Picture Abhi baaki hai mere dost!”
(Both laugh as the conversation fades out, with a sense of curiosity and excitement for what is next.)
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