Share with us your view about AI as a transformative technology –

As the great physicist and thinker Stephen Hawking once said, "The rise of powerful AI will be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity. We do not yet know which." This quote speaks to the fact that AI is a double-edged sword. As our servant or a tool, It has the potential to bring us tremendous benefits, however, as an overlord, it has the potential to make us subservient, or even destroy us. What will happen in future is the great unknown. The question for us is what we can do today to increase the probability that things will work out in favour of human beings.

How did you know that you wanted to work in the Artificial Intelligence area?

It all started back in 2017. One early morning, while scrolling through news articles, I stumbled upon a piece where Elon Musk was warning about the potential threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to humanity. Right at that moment, I knew that I had to work in the AI arena. I could not do my thesis on the left side while humanity is going to be potentially destroyed on the right. It was a knowing that still stands after 6 years. This moment in my life made me write my Ph.D. thesis on the topic of “Governance of Artificial Intelligence”.

Why is it important for you that internal auditors are trained in Artificial Intelligence?

As AI becomes more prevalent in business, so do the risks associated with its use. That's why internal auditors must be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to help management establish controls that can mitigate these risks and ensure the responsible use of AI. In addition, knowledge of AI will enable internal auditors in identifying potential opportunities for innovation and growth that might otherwise be overlooked by management, thereby unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology.

What are your key drivers in life?

As the great writer and thinker, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." This quote speaks to the heart of my key drivers in life, which are centred around making a positive impact on the world and leaving it a better place than I found it. One of my primary drivers is a commitment to using my skills and talents to help humanity navigate the challenges posed by powerful artificial intelligence. I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that benefits society as a whole, rather than putting us at risk.

Tell us something that usually people do not know about you.

As the famous saying goes, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." This idea has always resonated with me, and I've made it my mission to explore as much of the world as possible. To date, I've had the privilege of visiting 43 countries and counting, with a goal of reaching 100 before bidding farewell to this planet.

What’s your motivational anthem?

Like a small boat, On the ocean; Sending big waves, Into motion;

Like how a single word, Can make a heart open

I might only have one match, But I can make an explosion[1]