Shyamala Prayaga

Shyamala Prayaga is a distinguished Senior Software Product Manager at NVIDIA, where she serves as a driving force behind innovation and creativity in the fields of Conversational AI, Generative AI, Deep Learning, and User Experience (UX). With a career spanning over two decades, Shyamala has solidified her reputation as a visionary leader, speaker, and author in the realm of artificial intelligence and inclusive design. She has not only played key roles at prominent companies but has also ventured into the realm of education as the founder of the Digital Assistant Academy.

Shyamala’s career is marked by her dedication to user experience (UX) and voice technology. With over 23 years of experience, she specializes in designing intuitive and user-centric interfaces, contributing to the usability and customer satisfaction of various platforms. Her journey encompasses over ten years of expertise in crafting voice interfaces for Connected Home Experiences, Automotive, and Wearables, showcasing her deep knowledge in the field.

Shyamala played a pivotal role in the launch of Amazon’s Alexa Gen 1, a groundbreaking voice- activated smart speaker that captured the world’s imagination and marked a significant milestone in the industry. As the Senior Software Product Manager of Conversational AI: Deep Learning at NVIDIA, Shyamala leads the company Speech AI GUI product suite, ensuring user experience remains a core element of every product.

Shyamala’s vision for the future revolves around unified standards and widespread adoption of voice-assistive software across sectors. Her active involvement, continuous learning, and the establishment of meaningful connections propel her towards shaping the future of UX and voice technology.

In addition to her practical contributions, Shyamala authored the book “Emotionally Engaged Digital Assistant: Humanizing Design and Technology”; The book provides frameworks and principles for implementing trustworthy and emotionally engaging voice interfaces, making it an invaluable resource for those in the field.

Shyamala Prayaga’s expertise is highly sought after, making her a distinguished speaker at prestigious conferences such as TU Automotive, Wards Auto UX, Voice Summit, AI Summit, and World Usability Day. Her contributions to these events showcase her thought leadership and the respect she commands in the technology community.

In addition to her conference engagements, Shyamala has been a guest speaker at renowned companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Carnegie Mellon. Her insights and knowledge have left a lasting impact on these organizations, further solidifying her status as a respected industry leader.

Shyamala Prayaga is also the visionary founder of the Digital Assistant Academy, an institution dedicated to providing training, certifications, and consultation in niche technologies such as voice interaction design, conversation design, and generative AI. Her commitment to education and professional development is evident through her leadership at the academy.

Member of the Women in Voice Advisory Board, supporting the advancement of women in voice technology. IEEE Senior Member, a distinguished figure in the global technical community. ACM Local Mentoring Group Vice Chair, fostering mentorship and community-building in computer science and technology.

Shyamala Prayaga’s multifaceted contributions to the technology industry, combined with her role as an influential speaker, underline her unwavering dedication to the advancement of voice technology and related disciplines. Her impact extends beyond her professional endeavors and education initiatives, leaving an indelible mark on the technology landscape. Shyamala is not merely a professional but a visionary shaping the future of AI technology and technology education.