AI as a catalyst for efficiency, innovation, and meaningful work

“Prototyping AWS’s “Just Walk Out” capability shaped my perspective”

— As a Principal within EPAM’s Global Technology Consulting practice, I’ve always been immersed in exploring new and emerging technologies. Working within Smart Cities infrastructure, IoT, and AI/ML technologies has always been key to driving innovation.

One experience that shaped my perspective was prototyping AWS’s “Just Walk Out” capability. This technology combined AI, sensors, and computer vision to deliver next-gen customer experiences. Seeing it in action truly influenced how I view the art of the possible with AI.

“What once took hours was reduced to minutes”

— My journey into AI began in the early chapters of my career as a Quant Analyst in Commodity Trading (Energy). Back then, my role was focused on aggregating vast volumes of historical data, identifying patterns, and developing predictive models for trading and risk management.

This process required significant manual effort — data collection, categorization, error correction, and running complex statistical models. But when my organization upgraded to a vendor-provided Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) system that incorporated early AI/ML algorithms, everything changed.

What once took hours was reduced to minutes, with improved accuracy and forecasting quality. Seeing how AI could optimize a process so astronomically was a moment that hooked me on its potential.

“Seeing plant engineers interact with our chatbot is awesome”

— I’m continuously amazed by the innovations we’re seeing in AI. One of the best moments I’ve experienced came from a client’s perspective.

We’re currently developing an Agentic RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) solution for one of Europe’s leading energy traders. The initial goal is to create a knowledge management capability for plant engineers.

Seeing their real-time reactions during user acceptance testing (UAT) — as they interact with a chatbot that processes 30 years’ worth of knowledge, including manuals, tutorials, blueprints, and safety inspection logs — is truly awesome.

“We’re all part of the technology evolution cycle”

— At EPAM, we are leaders in ethical AI adoption, and our principle of a human-in-the-loop is central to this. It’s essential to remain contextually aware of the inputs and outputs within any given solution.

Building problem-solving skills like traceability, emotional intelligence, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking is vital. These skills won’t just help us keep up with AI — they’ll help us excel because of it.

Don’t stop learning or experimenting. Embrace change and the art of the possible. We’re all part of the technology evolution cycle, and regardless of your role, there’s always something to gain by learning something new. AI builds on fundamental engineering principles, which means you can extend your skill set without compromise.

Stay hungry and curious. Get as much hands-on exposure as possible, even if it’s just in your own sandbox.

“AI will empower us to focus on building meaningful solutions”

— Looking further into the future, I envision a world where multiple AI agents serviced via an orchestrator (think MCP) will deliver significant efficiency gains. This will translate to reduced overheads for clients and more capacity for innovation.

AI won’t replace us, but it will empower us to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and building meaningful solutions.

“Working with AI doesn’t require much to stay focused”

— For me, working with AI doesn’t require much to stay focused. As an Architect, I can’t do anything without diagramming. This level of visualization significantly influences how I build AI logic and data flows.

Supporting my creativity and focus comes from the basics — quality sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. These habits not only improve productivity but also make me feel better overall.

“I, Robot raises fascinating questions about AI’s potential”

— I’m a big fan of Isaac Asimov’s books, which naturally means I, Robot is on my list of favorite movies. Most people think it’s just a movie about a robot, but without giving away spoilers, the real focus is on VIKI, the central AI system.

This movie raises fascinating questions about AI’s role in society and its potential to both empower and challenge our understanding of intelligence.