With over 20 years of experience, Vishal Sinha has led and executed large-scale Data Engineering, Analytics, and AI/ML-driven hyperautomation initiatives, driving digital transformation across organizations. His career spans hands-on technical roles to leadership positions, where he specializes in bridging the gap between technology and business to ensure alignment and deliver measurable value. A standout achievement in Vishal’s career was designing and implementing a Big Data Analytics Platform from scratch for Reliance Jio, handling petabytes of data to enable large-scale analytics and business insights.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Vishal shared insights on the two most significant challenges facing the tech industry today and how they can be addressed, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Vishal. What inspired you to pursue a career in data engineering and analytics, and what motivates you to stay in this field?
During my college days, I became fascinated by understanding the internal workings of programs—how the operating system manages memory, how the compiler processes code, and how data is pulled into the system. This curiosity led me to programming, particularly in languages like Java and working with databases, which laid the foundation for my career in data engineering and analytics.
As I advanced in the IT industry, I realized the immense value of data. Organizations that aim to make data-driven decisions must have a solid foundation in data engineering to ensure data is processed efficiently, accurately, and is accessible. This realization keeps me motivated to stay in the field
What do you love the most about your current role?
What I love most about my current role is solving complex problems and enabling business users to make data-driven decisions. I take pride in building and optimizing architecture and infrastructure capable of processing vast amount of data daily to derive valuable insights.
What do you believe are the most significant challenges facing the tech industry today, and how can they be addressed?
I think two major challenges the tech industry is facing today are:
- Uncertainty Around AI Adoption:
Many companies struggle with figuring out how to adopt AI or generative AI (Gen AI) effectively. There’s often confusion about which areas of the business are the best candidates for automation or where AI can truly add value.
I think AI adoption should begin with a clear understanding of the specific problems a company wants to solve. Identifying use cases that can benefit from automation, such as repetitive tasks, data analysis, or customer service, is key. Companies should focus on starting small, testing, learning, and then scaling as they see tangible results. The right AI use cases are those that involve large data sets, pattern recognition, or tasks that require real-time decision-making.
- Lack of Technical and Domain Expertise in AI Projects:
Another major challenge is that many organizations believe AI projects can succeed with just a good strategy or the right buzzwords. In reality, AI/ML projects require a deep understanding of both the technical side (such as algorithms, data processing, and model training) and the business/domain-specific knowledge.
I also think it’s essential to have a strong team made up of both technical experts (data scientists, AI engineers) and domain experts (who understand the industry and specific problems). Without this combination, AI models might be technically sound but miss the mark in terms of real-world applications. Domain experts guide AI projects to ensure solutions are practical, while technical experts ensure the models are effective and scalable
How do you see the field of data engineering and analytics evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what skills and qualities do you believe will be essential for success in this field?
I believe that in the next 5-10 years, AI agents will automate more than 95% of the tasks in data engineering and analytics. However, success in this field will still depend on individuals who have deep knowledge of data engineering and analytics. These professionals will be key in effectively replicating their expertise into AI systems, as well as in knowing how to ask the right questions and assign tasks to AI agents. Going forward, the most intelligent engineers will be those who can interact effectively with AI, guiding them to achieve optimal results.
Can you describe your approach to building and leading high-impact teams, and what qualities do you look for when hiring team members?
I believe in building small, empowered teams by providing them with the right knowledge and exposure. I prefer working in the background, guiding my team while they take the lead. I encourage them to handle front-facing tasks and rarely send emails, as I value direct, real-time collaboration. This approach helped me successfully build the first big data platform at Reliance Jio
When hiring, I look for hands-on individuals with a strong attitude and a belief in teamwork.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
While there are two people, I’m incredibly grateful for, I would like to mention Mr. Anish Shah, Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Kiran Thomas, CEO at Reliance Jio. Both of them recognized my talent, believed in my potential, and provided valuable insights and guidance that played a crucial role in shaping my career.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
I’m passionate about sports and enjoy playing and following a variety of them, including cricket, lawn tennis, soccer, and UFC fights. Outside of work, I love spending quality time with my family.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
I believe that my technical foundation is strong, which makes it easier for me to adopt and leverage any new technology. That’s why, rather than focusing on specific technologies right now, I’ve been concentrating on brushing up my knowledge of mathematics and statistics, particularly in the context of AI/ML.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My biggest goal is to embark on my entrepreneurship journey as soon as possible. In the next five years, I see myself leading this startup, with the goal of making a significant impact on the technology world, all while building and growing my business from India.
What advice would you give to individuals looking to break into the tech industry or leadership roles?
My advice to individuals looking to break into the tech industry or leadership roles is to build a strong foundation first. Understanding how the operating system, core, RAM, and disk work is crucial for computer science and programming. As for leadership, I believe it’s about guiding your team, acknowledging their contributions, and helping them explore and develop their individual strengths.