Soumitra Dutta

Innovation expert Soumitra Dutta advocates a 'people-first' AI strategy

Academic scholar and author Soumitra Dutta has popularized the concept of a 'people-first AI strategy'. "We have to use technology, not because technology exists, but because it helps us to become better individuals. When organizations deploy AI inside their work processes or systems, we have to explicitly focus on putting people first," explains Dutta, former dean at Oxford's Said Business school and an alumnus of IIT-Delhi.

Soumitra Dutta

Who IS Soumitra Dutta ?

This approach contrasts with the typical digital transformation inside an organization, where the focus is on automating as much as possible.Everyone knows AI is good at making predictions. But predictions are useless without judgment -- interpreting what those predictions mean, deciding what trade-offs should be made, and determining what actions will serve our values and goals.It is imperative, says Dutta, that the decision-making layer remains human.

Soumitra Dutta's background is wide-ranging. He has been a PhD student in computer science and artificial intelligence, a founder of two technology start-ups, a management consultant, and has seen the rise and fall of several waves of technology. He has held leadership positions at some of the world's leading universities including Cornell University, in the US and INSEAD, in France. Dutta is also a prolific writer and researcher, having published 87 papers according to ResearchGate.