Startup
Is Gen AI helpful in making data-driven decisions?
Generative AI, or Gen AI, has taken organisations and customers by storm. While certain standard use cases of this new-age technology are much talked about, it is being used increasingly to make data-driven decisions.
However, while experiments with GenAI are in full flow, every organisation is impacted differently because of how this technology functions. Some believe it is starkly different from traditional AI.
To understand this better, expert panellists from the field of tech – Ashwin Sekar, Chief Product and Technology Officer, InCred Financial Services; Ramesh Kumar Katreddi, Vice President, Engineering, Jumbotail; and Kedar Gupte, Associate Director Engineering, Data Platforms, Myntra – were part of a session ‘Gen AI as a strategic lever for enabling data-driven decisions’ at YourStory’s Tech Leaders’ Conclave in Bengaluru on June 21. Rajesh Ramdas, Senior Director, Field Engineering, Databricks, moderated the panel discussion.
The impact of GenAI
Katreddi explained the functioning of Jumbotail, highlighting how the B2B marketplace serves as a retail platform where sellers can supply and kiranas can buy from them.
During this journey, from the customer’s point of view, these kiranas are not tech-savvy and communicate in vernacular languages. Most experiences designed for them are textual. However, GenAI’s multi-modality has opened up possibilities for them around vision and voice capabilities.
“This has also helped us join the bandwagon and experiment a lot more. We realised there are some click-to-rate (CTR) improvements through Generative AI,” Katreddi shared.
InCred, on the other hand, is a financial services platform that lends to small and medium businesses. Apart from standard use cases, it is using GenAI to onboard employees.
“We have been growing by 500-600 employees a year. There’s an internal bot to answer questions from employees. That’s helping us prevent tribal knowledge from getting locked up in people’s heads. Interestingly, we are also trying to detect fraud. It’s a hard problem to solve in a commercially viable manner with acceptable false positive rates,” Sekar said.
InCred has been experimenting with GenAI to synthetically create fraud lend datasets and improve its machine language (ML) models’ ability to recognise and block fraud.
There are different applications of GenAI on search personalisation in Myntra, particularly in the ecommerce piece. However, Gupte explained that the easiest ones to implement and those with the highest return on investment (ROI) are on developer productivity and optimisation.
“As a data platform, we would want democratisation and maximum users to leverage our platform. But that comes at the cost of suboptimal queries being written. Optimisation is hard but where GenAI can shine is it can go through the query plan and figure out the right optimisation strategies,” he added.
Dealing with challenges
One of the biggest challenges that most companies face is trusting the large language models (LLM). On this, Sekar believes there’s no replacing the hard work of sanity checks or validation of data quality. The idea is to create the lineage and definitions of the columns and tables to increase the output of LLMs.
Katreddi said his organisation is at the stage of training images and annotating them. Over time, he realised LLMs can be utilised to classify images that are required for annotation, ensuring data quality is not compromised.
On the subject of data democratisation, Gupte shared that it is an important architectural choice for the adoption of AI or GenAI. That’s because it is an LLM model that is efficient at figuring out pieces of information and the relationship between those pieces of information from a vast pool of data.
“It needs to be trained on that information and, in the data-driven context, what that information is. It is essentially the set of tables, what data it contains, what is the meaning, how is the data moving between these tables, what is the volume of data, etc. We call this the information graph,” Gupte said.
This also gives LLMs the ability to query different sources of data. This has helped create more use cases and eventually translated into higher revenue generation.
Experimentation to production
Sekar shared that InCred is still in the experimentation mode. However, there’s one lesson that will stand it in good stead. Initially, they were experimenting with different LLMs, but eventually realised good engineering principles are the key to success.
“Structure yourself for fast feedback loops and if you can speed those up, you can learn faster and get your LLM outputs working much faster,” he said.
There’s still time to reach large-scale production deployment of LLM, revealed Katreddi of Jumbotail. From a research perspective, he has been following processes for testing the correctness of LLM.
Citing an example, Gupta explained how there are several pages and interaction points in the ecommerce space. Getting the right model and recommendation is a function of how good the data is and how well trained the model is on the data.
“The story is also about having fine-tuned models for specific customer cohorts. There should be analysis continuously to get to the final KPIs. Lastly, the pipelines fuelling these models have to be very efficient and adhere to quality constraints,” Gupte concluded.
Startup
Ola Electric’s Q2 loss narrows as revenue jumps 40%
‘s net loss narrowed in the second quarter of the current financial year (FY25) as the Bhavish Aggarwal-led EV maker reported a 39% jump in sales.
Ola Electric reported a net loss of Rs 495 crore for the July-September quarter, down from Rs 524 crore in the year-ago period. The company’s revenue from operations jumped to Rs 1,214 crore in Q2 from Rs 873 crore a year earlier.
However, on a quarterly basis, Ola Electric’s loss widened from Rs 324 crore in the April-June quarter. The company’s sales declined from Rs 1,644 crore in the previous quarter.
The results come days after the EV-maker’s share price fell below its listing price, two months after the company listed on Indian stock exchanges. On Friday, Ola Electric’s share price closed at Rs 72.67 apiece, down 2.53%. Ola Electric got listed on India’s stock exchanges on August 9 at Rs 76 per share. The company had hit an all-time high of Rs 157.40 apiece.
Ola Electric, currently the market leader in the E2W segment, has also come under intense scrutiny over rising consumer complaints pertaining to its vehicles. In October, the company received a show cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) seeking alleged violations of consumer rights, misleading advertising, and unfair trade practices.
The company, in a BSE filing on October 22, said it has provided all requested information and clarification sought by the consumer watchdog. Additionally, Ola Electric said it resolved 99.1% out of 10,644 complaints it received from the CCPA.
The SoftBank Group-backed firm has since doubled down on expanding its service centers and hiring service technicians to help streamline operations and clear backlogs.
Startup
Workplace boundaries: 5 things not to share with coworkers
In today’s workplace, building relationships and open communication are highly encouraged. A collaborative environment can foster trust, creativity, and productivity among colleagues. However, there is a fine line between being friendly and sharing too much. Revealing certain personal information to your coworkers can blur professional boundaries and even affect your career negatively. In a world where first impressions and professionalism matter, knowing what to keep private is crucial to maintaining respect and credibility.
This guide highlights five essential things you should never share with colleagues. From sensitive financial details to personal beliefs, these are boundaries that every professional should respect for the sake of both personal privacy and workplace harmony.
1. Financial information
Discussing your financial situation at work—whether it’s your salary, debts, or even that new loan you’ve taken out—can lead to misunderstandings, envy, or resentment. Salary disparities, in particular, are a sensitive topic and can create friction in the workplace if colleagues perceive unfairness. Moreover, sharing details about your finances could unintentionally set you up for gossip or judgment from others, which could alter their view of your professionalism. If you’re asked directly, a polite but firm response, such as “I prefer not to discuss personal finances,” can help maintain boundaries.
2. Political and religious beliefs
In an era of heightened political polarisation and strong opinions on various social issues, discussing your political or religious beliefs at work can be risky. Even casual remarks can lead to disagreements and, in worst cases, workplace conflicts. This doesn’t mean you should hide your identity, but it’s wise to avoid diving into discussions that might alienate or offend others. Maintaining a neutral stance on sensitive topics can help create a respectful, inclusive work environment.
3. Personal health issues
Your health is deeply personal, and sharing too much about any physical or mental health challenges can lead to unintended consequences. While close friends may share personal health information, colleagues don’t need to know the specifics of your medical history. Revealing health information might result in unwanted sympathy, awkwardness, or even doubt about your ability to perform your job effectively.
4. Negative opinions about colleagues or management
It might feel cathartic to vent about a difficult coworker or a strict manager, but sharing these thoughts with other colleagues can easily backfire. Not only can it damage your reputation, but it could also harm your professional relationships if your words get back to the person in question. Criticising team members or managers can make you seem untrustworthy or negative, both of which can hinder your career progression. Maintaining a neutral or positive stance will reflect professionalism and emotional maturity.
5. Ambitions for a new job or career move
Sharing your plans to apply for a new job or change careers might seem harmless, but it could shift how your colleagues or managers view your commitment. If your supervisor learns that you’re planning to leave, it could lead to fewer opportunities or even less favourable treatment as they prepare for your departure. To protect your current position, focus on your work, and wait to share the news until you’re ready to make a formal exit.
Conclusion
In a professional setting, boundaries are essential for a healthy work environment. While sharing parts of your personal life can help build connections, knowing where to draw the line is equally important. By keeping your financial matters, health concerns, personal beliefs, and career ambitions private, you’ll be better able to maintain a positive reputation, foster respectful relationships, and ultimately advance your career without unnecessary complications.
Remember, in the workplace, less can often be more. Protect your privacy, and you’ll find it easier to focus on what truly matters—your professional growth and contributions.
Startup
Taming the restless ‘Monkey Mind’: 6 signs and calming tips
Do you ever feel as if your thoughts are racing, jumping from one idea to the next without pause? This restless state of mind, commonly known as the “monkey mind,” can leave you feeling overwhelmed, distracted, and unable to focus. Imagine a monkey swinging from branch to branch—never still, always moving. The monkey mind does something similar, dragging your attention in multiple directions at once. In a world filled with constant notifications, endless tasks, and overstimulation, it’s no wonder our minds are often buzzing with a mix of unfinished thoughts, worries, and ideas.
Recognising and managing a monkey mind can be a game-changer for mental clarity, productivity, and peace. In this article, we’ll dive into six telltale signs of a monkey mind and explore proven strategies to calm it down and regain focus.
6 Telltale signs of a monkey mind
1. Constant overthinking
A classic sign of a monkey mind is constant overthinking. You may find yourself analysing every detail, reliving past conversations, or stressing over hypothetical situations that may never happen. This mental loop can keep you from moving forward or making decisions, trapping you in a cycle of what-ifs.
Try to channel overthinking into action by setting a time limit for worrying or planning, and then move on. Journaling can also help you process your thoughts and release them from your mind. Practicing mindfulness by focusing on what you’re doing right now can redirect your attention away from endless what-ifs.
2. Difficulty focusing on a task
If you find yourself switching tasks frequently, unable to concentrate on one thing for long, it’s a clear sign your mind may be restless. The monkey mind is easily distracted, often drawn to anything that promises novelty or instant gratification.
Implementing techniques like the Pomodoro Method—where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break—can improve focus. Create a designated workspace, eliminate distractions, and try using noise-cancelling headphones or listening to concentration-friendly music to help you stay on task.
3. Procrastination and avoidance
A monkey mind often leads to procrastination, especially when faced with big or daunting tasks. The mind can become overwhelmed by the task’s complexity, prompting you to avoid it entirely and instead focus on smaller, less important activities.
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them feel less overwhelming. Set a specific goal for each work session, even if it’s just to complete a small portion. Reward yourself for each accomplishment, no matter how small, to keep your momentum going.
4. Heightened anxiety or stress
With the mind constantly jumping from one thought to another, stress and anxiety levels can increase. A monkey mind often dwells on worst-case scenarios and hypothetical fears, causing a continuous cycle of worry and tension.
Incorporate regular deep-breathing exercises or meditation into your day. Slow, mindful breathing can help activate the body’s relaxation response, lowering stress levels and bringing a sense of calm. For some, a quick physical reset—such as stretching or walking—can break the anxiety loop and help you feel grounded.
5. Trouble sleeping
If your mind feels like it’s in overdrive at night, it could be because of a monkey mind. Endless thoughts and worries can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you feeling exhausted the next day.
Establish a calming bedtime routine to signal your mind and body that it’s time to wind down. Avoid screens at least an hour before bed, and consider listening to a guided meditation or calming sounds to lull your mind into relaxation mode. Journaling before bed can also help you clear your mind by putting your thoughts on paper.
6. Feeling constantly distracted
A monkey’s mind craves stimulation and often finds it challenging to stay present. You may find yourself constantly checking your phone, seeking out new content, or even daydreaming when you should be focused on a task at hand.
Practice “mindful breaks” during your day—short intervals where you put down your devices, observe your surroundings and ground yourself in the present. Limiting the number of things you try to multitask can help, too. Start by giving your full attention to one task, and slowly build your focus endurance from there.
Conclusion
Our minds are naturally curious, and having occasional restless thoughts is normal. However, when the monkey mind takes over, it can disrupt our peace, productivity, and well-being. Recognising the signs of a monkey mind and incorporating calming strategies—like mindfulness, structured work sessions, and relaxation techniques—can help you regain control over your mental landscape. The next time you find your mind swinging wildly, try one of these calming techniques to bring yourself back to a state of balance and clarity.
By making mindfulness a habit and addressing the monkey mind head-on, you’ll be able to cultivate a deeper sense of peace, focus, and contentment in your daily life.
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