In this exclusive interview with The Prime Today, Rashmi shares her journey, the importance of responsible AI, the power of mentorship, and her perspective on leading through innovation.

Rashmi Sharma is a visionary Data & AI Leader driving AI Tech Reinvention at Accenture based out of Melbourne. Rashmi is a spirited leader at the nexus of technology and business transformation leveraging over two decades of experience to shape how industries embrace innovation responsibly. Her expertise spans digital transformation, ethical AI deployment, and building inclusive, high-impact technology ecosystems. A recognized thought leader, Rashmi authored the book “Evolution of Technology: The Human Story, Upgraded,” exploring the deep interplay between human progress and our tools, and is a compelling speaker who has graced platforms like TEDx. Beyond her strategic roles, she is a dedicated advocate for diversity in STEM, actively mentoring and sponsoring the next generation of leaders. Consistently recognized for her contributions, Rashmi’s accolades include Woman Tech Champion of the Year (2023), Global Women of Influence Award (2024), and the recent Top Influential Woman in Tech Leadership of the Year (2025), underscoring her commitment to pioneering a future where technology profoundly enhances human potential through human-centered, responsible leadership.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today?

My journey has really been about following my curiosity at the intersection of human potential and technological advancement. It spans over two decades, starting from roles in operations and service delivery in telecommunications and banking. These early experiences gave me a solid grounding in how businesses function and how technology serves as the backbone for operations and customer experience.

I then transitioned into roles more focused on digital transformation and innovation. This was where my passion for leveraging technology to solve complex business problems and enhance human capabilities truly solidified. My focus shifted towards exploring how emerging technologies could reshape industries and improve processes.

My academic pursuit in Artificial Intelligence through a Post Graduate Program with Illinois Institute of Technology further deepened my expertise and passion for this transformative field. This led me to roles where I could directly influence and implement cutting-edge tech strategies.

Joining Accenture marked a significant chapter where I could bring together my experience in technology, business transformation, and leadership on a global scale. Starting as an Associate CTO (THR), then moving into leading Generative AI initiatives, and now serving as a Data & AI Leader focused on AI Tech Reinvention being based out of Melbourne, my focus has been on shaping and executing strategies that harness the power of AI and data responsibly and effectively.

Throughout this journey, the constant thread has been a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep-seated belief in technology’s power to augment humanity. It hasn’t been a strictly linear path, but rather one driven by learning, adapting, and seeking opportunities to make a meaningful impact at the confluence of technology and business strategy. The recognitions and awards along the way have been encouraging milestones, reaffirming that the work we do is making a difference. Ultimately, I am where I am today because of a continuous drive to learn, innovate, and lead with a focus on creating positive, transformative change.

2. What inspired you to move into the field of AI and digital transformation?

My inspiration stems from a fundamental belief in the power of technology to enhance human potential and reshape our world for the better. Early in my career, working in operations and service delivery, I saw firsthand how technology could streamline processes, improve efficiency, and ultimately deliver better experiences. However, I also saw the limitations and the potential for much more.

The real shift towards digital transformation and AI came from recognizing the exponential pace of technological change and its profound implications across every industry. It wasn’t just about digitizing existing processes anymore; it was about fundamentally reimagining business models, customer interactions, and even the nature of work itself. I was fascinated by how data could yield insights previously unimaginable and how intelligent systems could automate tasks, freeing up human creativity for higher-value activities.

AI, in particular, struck me as a field with unparalleled potential to solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges – from improving healthcare diagnostics to optimizing resource management and creating more personalized educational experiences. At the same time, I was acutely aware of the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding AI. This dual nature – immense potential coupled with significant responsibility – fueled my desire to be actively involved in shaping its trajectory.

Seeing the tangible impact of digital transformation projects – how they could empower employees, delight customers, and drive sustainable growth – was incredibly motivating. I wanted to be at the forefront of this change, not just witnessing it but actively driving it. My work in leading Generative AI strategies and exploring responsible AI development stems directly from this inspiration – the desire to harness these powerful tools thoughtfully and ethically to create a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests.

3. You’ve worked with big names like Accenture—what has been the most exciting part of your work so far?

Working at Accenture has been incredibly rewarding, largely because it operates at the scale and complexity where technology truly meets global challenges. The most exciting part has undoubtedly been the opportunity to spearhead transformative AI strategies and witness their impact firsthand. Leading initiatives in Generative AI, for instance, allows me to be at the cutting edge, exploring how these powerful new tools can redefine industries and create novel solutions.

Collaborating with diverse, brilliant minds across different functions and geographies to tackle complex problems is consistently invigorating. We’re not just implementing technology; we’re co-creating the future of business operations and customer engagement. Seeing an innovative idea – like the AI-powered employee sentiment analysis tool we conceptualized – move from concept to reality and deliver tangible value is immensely satisfying.

Furthermore, being involved in shaping conversations around responsible AI development within a leading global organization is profoundly meaningful. Accenture provides a platform to influence how technology is adopted, ensuring that innovation aligns with ethical principles and human values. Guiding organizations through their digital transformation journeys, leveraging upcoming tools and technologies, and seeing them achieve greater efficiency and agility is always exciting.

The sheer pace of innovation and the constant learning curve keep things dynamic. Every project brings new challenges and opportunities to push boundaries. But ultimately, the most exciting aspect is contributing to work that has a tangible, positive impact – empowering organizations and, by extension, the people they serve.

4. What does being a leader mean to you, especially in today’s fast-changing tech world?

In today’s rapidly evolving technology environment, I see leadership not as having all the answers but as painting a clear, compelling vision for how we can harness technology to drive positive change and rally teams around shared goals, even when the path forward is uncertain. True leaders empower diverse, highperforming teams by trusting individuals with autonomy, fostering psychological safety, and providing the mentorship and resources they need to grow—unlocking the group’s collective intelligence. They champion responsible innovation by embedding fairness, transparency, and accountability into every stage of development, ensuring powerful tools like AI serve society ethically. They cultivate a culture of continuous learning and resilience, guiding their teams through ambiguity and setbacks with curiosity and adaptability. They lead with empathy and humanity, prioritizing wellbeing alongside performance, and exercise nuanced judgment—combining intuition and experience to make sound decisions when situations are unpredictable. Ultimately, effective leadership navigates complexity with a steadfast ethical compass, empowering others to innovate responsibly and ensuring that as technology advances, it elevates and enriches the human experience.

5. You’ve been recognized globally—how do these awards and recognitions make you feel?

Receiving awards like the Woman Tech Champion of the Year (2023), the Global Women of Influence Award (2024) or Top Influential Woman in Tech Leadership of the year Award (2025) is incredibly humbling and deeply honouring. Honestly, my primary feeling is one of gratitude – gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had, the brilliant teams I’ve worked with, and the mentors who have guided me.

These recognitions serve as powerful validation, not just for me personally, but for the work we are doing collectively in driving innovation and transformation. They signal that the focus on leveraging technology for positive impact, championing responsible AI, and fostering inclusive environments is resonating and being acknowledged.

They also feel like a significant responsibility. Recognition brings visibility, and I believe it’s important to use that platform to amplify the message about technology’s potential for good, to advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech, and to inspire the next generation of leaders, particularly young women.

So, while the awards themselves are wonderful milestones, their true value lies in the encouragement they provide to keep pushing boundaries, to continue striving for excellence, and to reinforce the commitment to making technology a cornerstone for a brighter, more equitable future. They remind me that the journey is impactful and motivates me to continue contributing meaningfully to the field.

6. You gave a TEDx talk about leadership. Can you share the main message from that?

Yes, I had the opportunity to deliver a TEDx talk, and its core message—shaped by my own journey—was that leadership in the AI era hinges on harmonizing human intuition with data‑driven precision to spark ethical innovation and collective progress. I explained that AI and data are catalysts, not replacements, for human capability: they surface insights that free teams from rote tasks—like automating fraud detection or streamlining financial reporting—so they can focus on strategic and creative work. With that power comes a duty to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability; It described how robust governance frameworks and diverse design perspectives help neutralize bias and build trust. The talk underscored that AI’s complexity demands cross‑functional collaboration—bridging data scientists, business leaders, and end‑users—to achieve results such as major workload reductions through intelligent automation. Grounding each initiative in purpose is essential, whether enriching customer experiences or advancing sustainability and inclusion, because purpose fuels innovation and engagement alike. The talk urged the leaders to couple agility with vision: iterate boldly, learn from failures, and balance speed with stability to scale solutions without sacrificing quality. Thus highlighting that leading in the AI era requires the courage to embrace new technologies, confront biases, and inspire teams to use AI in service of humanity’s highest aspirations—a legacy that transcends the technology itself.

7. You’ve written a book about technology and people. What inspired you to write it?

The inspiration for writing “Evolution of Technology: The Human Story, Upgraded” came from a deep-seated fascination with the intricate, reciprocal relationship between humanity and the tools we create. Having spent over two decades working in technology and witnessing its accelerating evolution, I felt a growing need to step back and understand the larger narrative.

I observed that conversations about technology often focus narrowly on the latest gadgets, algorithms, or market trends. While important, this sometimes misses the bigger picture: how has technology fundamentally shaped who we are as a species, our societies, our values? And conversely, how have our human desires, dreams, fears, and ethical considerations shaped the technologies we develop?

I wanted to explore this grand arc, from the first sparks of fire and stone tools to the complexities of AI and quantum computing, but through a distinctly human-centered lens. The excerpt you shared captures this well – the idea that the printing press wasn’t just a machine, but a catalyst for revolution; the industrial loom didn’t just weave fabric, it wove new social structures.

My goal was to make this vast history accessible and engaging, showing that technology isn’t an external force acting upon us, but rather an intrinsic part of the human story. I was inspired to connect the dots between ancient innovations and modern dilemmas, highlighting the enduring patterns of human ingenuity, ambition, and the ethical challenges that arise with each technological leap.

Furthermore, we stand at a critical juncture with AI, biotechnology, and other powerful technologies poised to redefine our future. I felt compelled to write a book that not only chronicles our past but also serves as a call to action for the present. It urges readers to think critically about the trajectory we’re on, to move beyond being passive consumers, and to become active participants in shaping a future where technology uplifts humanity. It’s an invitation to join the journey, understand our technological heritage, and consciously choose the path forward.

8. How do you try to support and mentor others in your field?

I’m deeply passionate about supporting and mentoring others as they embark on or navigate their tech careers, and I believe this is essential for fostering talent, promoting diversity, and keeping our field vibrant. At Accenture and in previous roles, I engage in both formal mentorship programs and informal oneonone conversations—listening to colleagues’ challenges, sharing my own experiences, and offering tailored guidance. As a leader, I work to create stretch opportunities—advocating for team members on high-visibility projects and connecting them with resources that accelerate their growth. I share insights on technology trends, leadership principles, and career navigation through internal talks, team sessions, and external platforms to demystify complex topics and encourage continuous learning. Equally important is championing inclusivity—actively challenging biases, promoting equitable practices, and cultivating environments where every voice is heard and valued. By leading through lifelong learning, ethical conduct, and a humancentered approach to technology, I model the values I hope to inspire in others. I also leverage my network to introduce rising talent to new perspectives, collaborations, and opportunities. Ultimately, mentorship for me means investing in people’s potential—offering support, encouragement, and advocacy so they can build confidence, overcome obstacles, and achieve their professional goals. Seeing others grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

9. What are some challenges you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome them?

Like many women in STEM, I’ve navigated environments where we’ve long been underrepresented—facing unconscious bias, a scarcity of visible senior role models, and the occasional reality of being the only woman in the room. Research shows that women hold fewer technical and leadership roles globally, grapple with stereotypes that undermine confidence, and must work harder to have their contributions fully recognized. Early in my career, asserting my voice and technical expertise among predominantly male colleagues demanded extra resilience, and there were moments when I had to prove my credibility through relentless dedication. I overcame these challenges by focusing on excellence—delivering consistently highquality work to let competence speak for itself—while cultivating strong networks of mentors and allies, both male and female, whose guidance and advocacy helped me reinvent my career path at critical junctures. I actively sought feedback to drive continuous growth, learned to navigate setbacks without internalizing bias, and built resilience by keeping my goals front and center. As I’ve advanced, I’ve committed to becoming a mentor and advocate myself, lifting other women as I climb, championing inclusive practices in every team I join, and serving as a visible role model to inspire younger women to pursue—and persist in—tech careers. Although progress is real and measurable, I remain steadfast in my belief that by excelling, connecting, and supporting one another, we can continue transforming our industry into a more equitable and welcoming space for all.

10. How do you make sure that AI is used responsibly and in the right way?

Ensuring AI is used responsibly is one of the most critical challenges we face in tech today, and our philosophy embraces a multifaceted approach: we start by embedding human‑in‑the‑loop principles so that AI augments rather than replaces human judgment—especially in high‑stakes decisions—by designing systems where people can understand, intervene, and correct the machine; we champion clear ethical frameworks and governance structures—defining and operationalizing principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, and security across every stage of the AI lifecycle, from design through deployment; we implement rigorous bias‑detection and mitigation processes, continuously auditing data and algorithms to prevent unfair outcomes; we strive for explainability so stakeholders can see why an AI makes a recommendation; we enforce robust security and privacy measures to safeguard training data and guard against malicious use; we build and empower diverse, inclusive teams whose varied perspectives help surface risks and unintended consequences; we establish continuous monitoring and learning practices to ensure AI systems remain ethical and effective over time; and we invest in education and awareness—teaching developers, leaders, and the public about AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications—because only through vigilance, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can we shape AI to align with human values and serve the greater good.

11. Outside of work, how do you like to give back to the community or support causes you care about?

While my professional focus is intense, I strive to contribute positively beyond my formal roles by mentoring and advocating for emerging tech leaders—especially women—investing in the future talent pipeline and promoting responsible technology development; by sharing thought leadership through my book, articles, and speaking engagements to make complex AI and tech topics accessible and foster informed public discourse; and by championing ethical AI practices within organizations to prevent harm and ensure technology serves humanity. Although my profile doesn’t reflect involvement in specific local charities or community groups, my deepest commitment is woven into my work: by nurturing talent, expanding understanding, and embedding ethical principles in every project, I aim to help build a more equitable, informed, and inclusive technological future for the wider Global community.

12. What advice would you give to young women who want to be leaders in tech?

To young women aspiring to lead in technology, I offer this advice: master the fundamentals—whether it’s coding, data science, cloud architecture, or product management—to build the confidence and credibility that come with deep technical competence; cultivate curiosity by asking questions, exploring new domains, and experimenting beyond your comfort zone to fuel innovation and adaptability; find and use your voice by sharing your unique insights clearly and confidently in meetings, presentations, and written communication; seek out mentors for guidance and sponsors to advocate for your advancement, and don’t hesitate to build these supportive relationships; expand your network of peers, leaders, and experts both within and beyond your organization to learn, share ideas, and gain a broader industry perspective; embrace challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient, acknowledging—but not succumbing to—imposter syndrome; develop business acumen by understanding how technology drives strategy, finances, and customer value; lead with empathy and authenticity, staying true to your values and fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive; and, as you rise, pay it forward by mentoring and supporting the next generation of women technologists. The tech world needs your talent and perspective—be bold, persistent, and unwavering in your belief that you can make a significant impact.