Page 31 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE 05

DAISPORA From there, Fluid AI began collaborating with large companies such as Axis Bank

(creating predictive AI), Bank of America, Hindustan Petroleum, Mastercard, and even

designed an AI version for Warren Buffett, which got Abhinav a personal meeting with
the billionaire in the US.
Disruptors Among their most celebrated achievements was the release of Bridging the AI Gap, in

October 2022, the world's first-ever AI-written book in history.

From Commerce to Code: Lessons and Advice

When I asked about challenges, Abhinav admitted it was tough in the early days
Abhinav Aggarwal, CEO and Founder of Fluid AI without a computer science background. But instead of getting overwhelmed, he

learned by focusing on whatever the next project required. His biggest piece of advice,

inspired by Warren Buffett: "Invest in yourself."
Recently, I got an opportunity to talk to Abhinav Aggarwal (Class of 2009), founder My Reflection

of Fluid AI, a company that has become a global name in the domain of artificial Moving on, he also talked about AI and the future of work. Everyone believes that AI is Talking with Abhinav made me aware that success or failure is never a function of what

intelligence. What struck me most was how his journey began, not from a going to steal work, but he explained that it typically enables organizations to have you begin with, but how inquisitive and persistent you are. He began by studying
background in computer science, but through sheer curiosity and determination. larger goals rather than replacing workers. Someone who could earlier serve 5 clients commerce and CA, and yet he went on to establish one of India's most successful AI
companies globally.
can now, with AI, manage around 25 at the same quality. The big question is how

humans are capable of adapting and making quality decisions with AI.
First Steps into Technology As a student, it inspires me to keep exploring, keep reading, and never limit myself by

Abhinav was a commerce student and studied computer science formally for just two how much we are taught in class. When someone transitions from having no coding

years in Dhirubhai Ambani. Then he went on and did a Chartered Accountancy (CA) knowledge and creating AI for Warren Buffett, then everything that counts is how

course. But technology called out to him once again. Instead of giving up, he taught much we believe we are capable of.
himself programming and AI by going through online content and by working on

real-world projects. He categorized self-learning in technology as "a process where
you acquire knowledge independently, without formal classroom instruction." This

gave me a different perspective, a passion can be greater than degrees.

Building Fluid AI

The first venture he made was in 2009, when he created a Learning Management

System (LMS) for schools and colleges. The turning point was in 2012, however,
when he and his brother Raghav went all the way up to New York, took part in the

TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, and won it! That victory got them into AI big time.