MTech IS Alumnus Ajay Singh (top right) with fellow MTech IS alumni
Read on as we sat with Ajay Singh, Head of Data & AI Product Line, Nokia, to find out more about his experience as a Master of Technology in Intelligent Systems (MTech IS) alumnus and how it has helped him "build a mindset to look at the placement of AI in the industry and society".
1. Where did you work at before enrolling on the NUS-ISS MTech programme, and what was your role?
I was working as an Analytics Sales Director (Asia-Pacific Japan) at Nokia.
2. What triggered the decision to enroll for the NUS-ISS MTech programme?
I wanted to learn about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and gain hands-on experience in building AI applications.
3. Describe your NUS-ISS experience.
I enjoyed the holistic & detailed programme as well as the balance between theory, latest advancements and practicals. During our lectures on intelligent sensing and computer vision, our lecturers also showed us the projects they have previously worked on.
4. What do you think distinguishes the MTech degree from other similar programmes?
AI technology is ever-evolving and continously being improved on. Similarly, the MTech programme prepared us to be continous learners and ignited a fire in us to explore, experiment and expand our knowledge!
5. Which company did you work at for your Final Year Project (FYP)? Describe the project you worked on and how you delivered it over the one-year.
Our project was a Moon shot project – Predict the Foreign Exchange to aid profitable Forex trading decisions. We studied a wide variety of published literature to understand problem formulation, data set definition, architecture exploration. The extensive study gave us a baseline on problems, approaches and outcomes so far globally.
We collected open source data for the past 10 years on most heavily traded currency pains between USD, Euro and Japanese Yen. Data pipelines were created for data sanitisation as well as streaming data ingestion
We also identified the AI architecture as well as software architecture – decisioning, ingestion, training and rendering; and created an experimentation bench and tested several (>10) AI architectures for pattern prediction. We automated decisioning (AI rendering for T0+24 hrs/T0+3 day prediction) and provided APIs for the trading desk.
6. What were some of the key challenges you faced during your studies and how did you overcome them?
It was mostly logistical challenges, for example class work, projects, exams while managing work, travel and family. Consistency in pacing to the course or project work as well as connecting the course to the professional objectives and plans gave necessary resolve to successfully complete the course.
7. What was your biggest takeaway from the MTech programme?
I developed the necessary rigour to be a hands-on developer while keeping an eye on the bigger picture to use AI as a general purpose technology. I also built a mindset to look at the placement of AI in the industry and society.
8. Looking back, did the experience live up to your expectations?
To a great extent, the programme and experience was a worthwhile and timely investment of my time and efforts. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look back at it with lot of respect and gratitude!
9. Tell us more about your current job.
At Nokia, I lead AI product line. We are responsible for identifying industry problems and opportunities that can be addressed with AI technology. We identify, build, and introduce Cloud-based AI products for customers globally leading to cost improvements, efficiencies, scalability and customer experience.
10. How has the MTech programme helped you in your current role?
The MTech programme provided the necessary technology foundations on problems that can be unlocked with AI – at a working and practical level.
MTech IS also provided the necessary confidence to imagine, communicate, collaborate and execute with a wide variety of audience – Senior Management, Deep Tech Engineers, Operations process experts.
11. How has pursuing a postgraduate course helped to boost your career, or expand your career options?
MTech IS has expanded my career options. AI is a general purpose technology and I foresee that I shall be able to catapult myself to next level where I can apply my AI knowledge and previous engineering, management and leadership experience to noble social and cross industry/multi-domain problems.
12. Is there any advice you would like to give to potential students looking for a graduate programme?
Be committed, pace yourselves, be hopeful, have a north star and use the programme to move you to that north star. Above all, enjoy the learning and exploring experience that an environment like NUS-ISS provides. It’s a privilege – enjoy it and look to give back too!
We wish Ajay all the best in his future endeavors!
Find out more about the NUS-ISS Master of Technology in Intelligent Systems Programme.
Interested in a flexible study option? Learn more about the NUS-ISS Stackable Graduate Certficate Programme in Artificial Intelligence which stacks up towards the Master of Technology in Intelligent Systems degree.